New Delhi, Sep 18: India has reacted cautiously to the newly signed Saudi–Pakistan defence pact, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that the government remains committed to protecting the nation’s interests while assessing the wider security implications.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was aware that the agreement had been under discussion for some time. “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 formalises a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, had been under consideration. We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability. The Government remains committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains,” Jaiswal stated.
The pact, signed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commits both nations to treat an attack on one as an attack on both. Saudi officials described it as a “comprehensive defensive pact covering all military means,” but avoided direct comment on whether Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal fell under its scope.
The agreement comes at a time of heightened regional tensions. Just days earlier, Israel’s airstrike in Doha killed senior Hamas leaders during ceasefire talks, prompting sharp condemnation and an emergency joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). While Riyadh maintains the pact is not a reaction to recent events, the timing highlights Saudi Arabia’s intent to reinforce its defence posture.
For India, the development follows a series of strained exchanges with Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty, Islamabad’s nuclear threats, and Operation Sindoor. The political friction also spilled into sports. During the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, the Indian cricket team declined the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts after the match, a symbolic gesture of protest amid ongoing tensions.