India has responded cautiously to the recently signed Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence pact, calling it a development with potential implications for its national, regional, and global security.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Shri Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday, “We have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains.”
The reaction comes just a day after Islamabad and Riyadh formalized the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Saudi Arabia. The accord, signed at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pledges that any aggression against one signatory will be considered an attack on both.
Officials say the pact reflects a joint commitment to enhance bilateral defence cooperation, build stronger deterrence, and contribute to wider regional stability at a time of escalating tensions.
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India’s statement is seen in the context of its strained ties with Pakistan following hostilities in May. After New Delhi launched cross-border strikes, Pakistan retaliated by downing multiple Indian Air Force jets and launching “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos.” The conflict ended only after a US-brokered ceasefire.
The timing of the Pakistan Saudi Arabia defence pact has also attracted global attention. It comes just days after Israel carried out strikes in Qatar targeting Hamas leaders, sparking anger across the Muslim world. Analysts believe the pact signals Saudi Arabia’s trust in Pakistan as its most reliable partner amid rising regional threats.
Defence analyst Sohail Muhammad Ali has described the agreement as a “historic development” and the most significant defence pact in Pakistan’s history. He emphasized that, unlike previous alliances, this accord carries a binding clause that elevates it beyond symbolism and into a concrete security guarantee.
Ali pointed out three crucial factors driving its importance: increasing unilateral aggression globally, repeated violations of international law, and growing threats to state sovereignty. He argued that the pact not only strengthens Pakistan–Saudi ties but also boosts Pakistan’s standing in South Asia and the broader Islamic world.
