India Monitors Saudi-Pakistan Defense Pact Amid Regional Tensions

India's Response to Saudi Arabia's Defense Agreement with Pakistan

On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi expressed its expectation that the mutual interests of India and Saudi Arabia will be considered as Riyadh forges a defense agreement with Pakistan.

During a press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the extensive strategic partnership that has significantly strengthened between India and Saudi Arabia over recent years. He stated, “We anticipate that this strategic partnership will take into account our mutual interests and sensitivities.”

Jaiswal's remarks came in response to inquiries regarding the defense pact signed between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Wednesday, which asserts that any aggression against one nation would be viewed as an attack on both.

India had indicated on Thursday that it was assessing the implications of this agreement for its own security.

A senior Saudi official, who chose to remain anonymous, informed a news agency that the pact was not a reaction to any specific nation or situation, but rather a formalization of the longstanding cooperation between the two countries.

The official further noted, “Our relationship with India is stronger than ever, and we will continue to enhance this relationship while contributing to regional peace in any way possible.”

This agreement was finalized shortly after a joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Qatar, which followed Israel's attack on Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9.

Hamas members were in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal for Gaza backed by the United States.

Arab and Islamic nations have condemned the Israeli attack.

Qatar, a key ally of the US, hosts one of the largest American military bases in the region, while Washington also supports Israel and guarantees its security.

On Thursday, India's Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged that the arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan had been under consideration.

“We will analyze the implications of this development for our national security and for regional and global stability,” the ministry stated. “The government is dedicated to safeguarding India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive security across all domains.”

The defense pact between Islamabad and Riyadh was established four months after a brief military conflict between India and Pakistan.

Tensions escalated on May 7 when the Indian military conducted strikes, known as Operation Sindoor, targeting what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

This military action was a response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities on April 22.

The Pakistan Army retaliated by shelling Indian villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the deaths of at least 22 Indian civilians and eight defense personnel.

Following the four-day conflict, India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to cease hostilities, although New Delhi has stated that Operation Sindoor is now part of its policy against cross-border terrorism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on May 12 that India had merely “paused” its retaliatory actions against Pakistan’s military and terrorist infrastructures, indicating that Islamabad's actions would be closely monitored.

Pakistan's Nuclear Program and Saudi Arabia Pakistan's Nuclear Capabilities for Saudi Arabia

On Friday, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated in an interview that Pakistan's nuclear program could be made available to Saudi Arabia if necessary under the new defense pact. This marks the first acknowledgment that Pakistan would extend its nuclear umbrella to Saudi Arabia.

Asif clarified that Pakistan's nuclear capability was established long ago during their tests, and since then, they have trained forces ready for battlefield scenarios.

“What we possess and our capabilities will be made available to [Saudi Arabia] as per this agreement,” he affirmed.