MEA Responds To Saudi Arabia–Pakistan Defence Pact, Says India Will Study Security Impact

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reacted to the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, stressing that New Delhi expects Riyadh to take into account mutual interests and sensitivities.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the weekly press briefing, commented on the "strategic mutual defence" pact signed between the two countries earlier this week.

"India and Saudi Arabia have a wide-ranging strategic partnership which has deepened considerably over the past several years. We expect that this strategic partnership will take into account mutual interests and sensitivities," Jaiswal said.

The defence agreement between Islamabad and Riyadh, signed on Monday, states that an attack on either nation will be treated as "an aggression against both." The pact was formalised just days after Israel launched strikes targeting Hamas leadership in Qatar.

On Thursday, the MEA had noted that India would carefully study the implications of the deal, both from the perspective of national security and in terms of regional and global stability. "The government remains committed to protecting India's national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains," Jaiswal had said.