**Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement**
*New Delhi:* In a significant development, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Wednesday signed a “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement.” According to the defence pact, any aggression against either nation will be treated as an attack on both countries.
The agreement was inked during a state visit by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh, at the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
### Joint Statement Highlights Historic Partnership
Both nations issued a joint statement following the agreement, emphasizing the historic partnership between them.
> “Building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity, as well as shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation between the two countries, HRH the Crown Prince and the Pakistani prime minister signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement,” the statement read.
The agreement reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing their security and working towards regional and global peace. It aims to develop various aspects of defence cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence against any acts of aggression.
> “The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both,” the joint statement further added.
### Details of the Agreement
The pact formalizes defence cooperation between the two Islamic nations, clearly stipulating that any aggression on one country will be regarded as an attack on both.
As highlighted in the joint statement:
> “This agreement, which reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world, aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
Notably, Pakistan is the only Islamic country with nuclear weapons. Reports suggest that following this agreement, Saudi Arabia may gain access to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
The agreement marks a shift from informal defence ties to structured military cooperation between the two nations.
### Implications for India
The pact has raised alarm bells in New Delhi. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have maintained close relations for decades, with Riyadh providing Islamabad financial support through grants and loans on several occasions.
This defence pact effectively provides Pakistan with a strategic shield. Pakistan’s stance in the region could become emboldened as Islamabad may invoke the agreement to involve Saudi Arabia in any dispute with India, especially in the context of Kashmir.
India’s relations with Saudi Arabia have generally been cordial. Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trade partner, while India ranks as Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trade partner.
On the surface, the pact appears to substantially bolster Pakistan’s military and diplomatic position in the region.
### Context: Recent Regional Tensions
The agreement was signed just months after the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed by heavily armed terrorists belonging to The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In retaliation, India launched **Operation Sindoor**, targeting nine high-value terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan responded with counterstrikes, escalating tensions further.
Following the military operation, India initiated **Operation Sindoor Outreach** by sending delegations of parliamentarians and officials to friendly nations to highlight Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism. One such delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, visited Saudi Arabia as part of this campaign.
### India’s Reaction
In response to the Pakistan-Saudi pact, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement:
> “We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual Defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The Government was aware that this development, which formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration.”
> “We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains.”
### Geopolitical Impact
The agreement is considered a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan and is expected to have significant geopolitical repercussions in the near future.
This development came after a summit attended by 40 Islamic nations in Doha, where reports suggest a NATO-like alliance was proposed in response to Israel’s attack on Qatar.
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*Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/in-future-if-india-attacks-pakistan-will-it-be-considered-as-act-of-aggression-against-saudi-arabia-defence-pact-between-2-islamic-nations-explained
