NEW DELHI, Aug 11: India on Tuesday said it is examining the implications of the newly signed defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, particularly from the perspective of national security and regional peace.
The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 following talks involving Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was closely assessing the agreement and its potential impact on India’s strategic interests.
“As far as this agreement is concerned, we are examining its implications both from the perspective of India’s national security and considerations of regional peace and stability,” Jaiswal said during his bi-weekly media briefing.
He stressed that India remains committed to protecting its national interests and would take all necessary measures in this regard.
The joint statement issued by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye said the agreement was based on shared strategic interests and their longstanding defence cooperation.
Under the pact, the three countries have agreed to strengthen collective deterrence against aggression. It also states that an armed attack against any one of the signatories would be considered an attack against all three.
The agreement further seeks to expand cooperation across various areas of defence among the participating countries.
Jaiswal also said India continues to closely monitor developments linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, amid broader regional security concerns.
Responding to questions about events organised internationally over the claimed “independence” of Pakistan’s Balochistan province and protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Jaiswal said India was following developments in different parts of the world.
He alleged that serious human rights violations had taken place in PoK and other parts of Pakistan and called upon the international community to hold Islamabad accountable.
“We call on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds, abuses and flagrant violation of human rights, including of all its people,” he said.
Referring to the protests in PoK, the spokesperson alleged that public discontent had been met with repression, blackouts and the use of force.
Jaiswal also reiterated India’s position on cross border terrorism, saying Pakistan must take action against terrorism emanating from its territory.
India’s response to the trilateral defence agreement comes as New Delhi continues to closely watch shifting strategic alignments in West Asia and their possible consequences for regional security and India’s national interests.