Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have entered into a mutual defence agreement during the state visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Riyadh. A crucial clause in this accord specifies that any attack on one of the two nations will be treated as an attack on both.

 

India has responded cautiously, noting that the pact essentially formalizes a framework that has existed for many years.

 

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said it had taken note of reports on the signing of a strategic defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The government was aware that such a framework had long been under discussion between the two countries. Officials also added that India will carefully examine the implications of this development for its national security and for regional as well as global stability. The statement underlined that the government remains committed to safeguarding India’s interests and ensuring security across all domains.

 

According to a joint communiqué, Prime Minister Sharif travelled to Riyadh at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders met at the Al Yamamah Palace, where they reviewed the longstanding and strategic ties between their nations and discussed matters of mutual concern.

 

The statement described the defence pact as an extension of nearly eight decades of partnership between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It emphasized that the agreement draws on the brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, shared strategic goals, and deep defence cooperation linking the two countries.

 

The accord reflects the shared intention of both governments to strengthen defence collaboration and enhance collective deterrence against threats. It further notes that aggression against either nation will be considered aggression against both. A photograph of the meeting shows Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir present alongside Prime Minister Sharif and the Saudi Crown Prince.

 

The development comes at a sensitive moment, as ties between India and Pakistan remain tense following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s counter-operation named Sindoor.

 

Meanwhile, India’s engagement with Saudi Arabia has continued to expand under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi has become the second-largest trading partner for Riyadh. During Prime Minister Modi’s state visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, the Kingdom strongly denounced the Pahalgam attack. At that time, both governments reiterated that no justification exists for terrorism in any form. They jointly condemned cross-border terrorism, called on all states to reject its use as a tool against others, dismantle terrorist networks wherever they operate, and bring those responsible to justice.