India's National Security at Risk as Saudi Arabia Signs Defence Deal with Pakistan

The Indian government is closely watching the developing situation as Saudi Arabia has signed a defence deal with Pakistan, which could have significant implications for India's national security. The agreement, signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Riyadh, reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and achieve peace in the region and the world. The deal aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression. As part of its post-Sindoor new normal, India maintains that any nuclear blackmailing by Pakistan won't deter Indian response to terror attacks. However, the Indian government is waiting for more details to emerge before coming to any conclusion about the likely impact of the pact on India.

Key Takeaways:

• The Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence deal formalizes a long-standing arrangement between the two countries, with Pakistan providing training to Saudi soldiers since the 1960s and stationing troops in the Kingdom during the Iran-Iraq war.
• The deal encompasses all military means, including Pakistan's nuclear umbrella for Saudi Arabia, according to a Saudi official.
• India's main concern is how Pakistan might invoke its new pact with Riyadh in the event of a military escalation with India, a distinct possibility given India's position that any terror attack will be considered an act of war.
• The deal has grave implications for India's national security, as warned by the Congress, which dubbed it as another failure of PM Modi's "personalized diplomacy".
• The agreement also reflects Riyadh's increasing insecurity over Israel's actions in the region, which has led to strikes in Qatar to eliminate Hamas leaders.
• India's ties with Riyadh have improved in recent times, including in defence and security, but the Indian government is still cautious about the impact of the pact on national security.

Statistics:

• Pakistan has had longstanding defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including training Saudi soldiers since the 1960s.
• The deal aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.
• The Saudi Arabian official quoted by CNN stated that the agreement encompasses all military means, including Pakistan's nuclear umbrella for Saudi Arabia.

Sources:

• "MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal" - Times of India
• "Saudi official quoted by CNN" - CNN
• "Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh" - Times of India
• Joint Saudi-Pakistan statement - Times of India
• Indian official who spoke on condition of anonymity - Times of India