India Raises Concerns Over Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact

India responds to the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement, highlighting concerns over regional security and stability. The agreement strengthens defense ties and includes a mutual defense clause. India plans to closely study its potential impact on national and regional security.

India expressed concerns on Thursday regarding the newly signed Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, stressing the need to evaluate its implications for regional and global stability. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India acknowledges the formalization of this alliance, which was previously a long-standing arrangement.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized the paramount importance of India's national security in light of this development. "The Government was aware of this pact, formalizing a pre-existing relationship between the two nations," Jaiswal stated. "Our focus remains on examining its implications for national security and regional stability."

The agreement, signed during the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh, pledges mutual defense against any aggression. It marks a significant commitment to bolster security ties and comes on the backdrop of longstanding brotherhood and strategic interests between the two nations, underlined in a joint statement post-visit.

(With inputs from agencies.)