Sign in Subscribe
National security

India Reacts to Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Mutual Defence Pact, Vows to Protect National Interests

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

India has taken note of the recent signing of a mutual defence pact by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, stating that it will study the implications of this development for its national security. The pact, called the "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement", aims to enhance defence cooperation and joint deterrence against any aggression. India remains committed to protecting its national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Indian government was aware that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had been considering a mutual defence pact to formalise a long-standing arrangement between the two sides.
  • The pact reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.
  • Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed the agreement in Riyadh, with Pakistan's national security being a key consideration.
  • The pact marks Pakistan's most consequential formal defence pact in several decades, institutionalising its role in the security architecture of West Asia.
  • Saudi Arabia has worked to build up its defence relationship with Pakistan over the past five decades, aiming to benefit from Islamabad's nuclear arsenal.
  • defence cooperation between the two sides goes back to 1967, and was enhanced after the seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979.
  • The new agreement formalises commitments that had long existed in practice, creating a de facto joint defensive umbrella, though finer details of the agreement were not made public.

Statistics:

  • Over 20,000 Pakistani troops have been deployed to Saudi Arabia in recent decades.
  • Defence cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia goes back to 1967.
  • The seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca in 1979 saw Pakistani special forces helping Saudi troops clear the shrine after it was taken over by terrorists.
  • The two countries formalised security relations through a bilateral security cooperation agreement in 1982, enabling Pakistani personnel to deploy and provide advisory support and training on Saudi soil.
  • India signed its first defence contract with Saudi Arabia in February 2024, supplying artillery ammunition worth $225 million.
  • Another deal worth $80 million for artillery ammunition was signed last year.

Sources:

  • Hindustan Times, "India reacts to Pakistan-Saudi Arabia mutual defence pact, vows to protect national interests" published 19 September 2023.
  • Dawn newspaper, "Pakistan-Saudi defence deal: A de facto joint defensive umbrella" 18 September 2023
  • Qatar News Agency, "Qatar hosts Arab, Islamic meeting after Israel strikes Gaza" 16 September 2023
  • Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) website, "Qatar hosts Arab, Islamic meeting after Israel strikes Gaza" 16 September 2023
  • HT Digital Content Services

Read more