September 19, 2025

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) gave its spicy take on the fresh defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, signed recently. Speaking at a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reminded everyone that the bond between India and Saudi Arabia has grown stronger in recent years. “India and Saudi Arabia have a wide-ranging strategic partnership which has deepened considerably in the last several years. We expect that this strategic partnership will keep in mind mutual interests and sensitivities,” Jaiswal said firmly. That’s a clear message to Riyadh to balance its new pact with Pakistan without hurting India’s feelings. The MEA also made it clear that India is fully alert and prepared. Jaiswal revealed, “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 formalizes a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration.” India won’t just sit quietly; it will "study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability," he added. What is this deal all about? The Pakistan-Saudi agreement says that if either country faces an attack, it will be seen as an attack against both - a strong bond of defence. This pact builds on almost 80 years of cooperation between these two nations, celebrating their "brotherhood and Islamic solidarity," and aims to boost their strategic and defence ties even more. Interestingly, this announcement came just days after Israel’s attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, adding more drama to already tense regional relations. With this development, India is watching closely, reminding the world that its own partnership with Saudi Arabia is rich and deep, expecting Riyadh to keep all parties’ feelings and interests in delicate balance.

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Tags: India, Saudi arabia, Pakistan, Defense agreement, Mea, National security,