The recent new defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia has created a new stir in the South Asian strategic scenario. This agreement is not only limited to defense cooperation, but also contains training, weapons supply, joint military exercises and technical cooperation. This development has special significance in the context of India as India is currently engaged in strengthening its strategic, economic and diplomatic interests in the Gulf region. At a time when India is moving towards increasing global defense and diplomatic influence, then the Saudi-Pak alliance can create new challenges for it.
Important things of Saudi-Pak defense agreement
Under this new agreement, some main points that have surfaced are as follows.
Military training and expertise exchange
Pakistan has a long -organized military structure. Saudi Arabia wants Pakistan’s help in training and operation of its armed forces.
Joint military exercise
In future, the forces of the two countries will jointly practice anti -terrorism and strategic levels. This will increase Pakistan’s military penetration in West Asia.
Defense technology and arms supply
Saudi Arabia can give Pakistan a chance to purchase financial assistance and potential arms under its defense modernization program.
Share defense intelligence system
The two countries also seem to agree to share intelligence information in future. This agreement will strengthen Pakistan at both economic and strategic levels and will give Saudi Arabia a new ally in regional security.
Possible challenges for India
- Diplomatic balance in the Gulf region: India has a very close relationship with Saudi Arabia in terms of energy, investment and overseas Indians. In such a situation, Saudi Arabia is a diplomatic challenge for Pakistan’s nearest India, as it can weaken the boundaries of India-Saudi cooperation. Know how?
- Strategic benefits to Pakistan: If Saudi Arabia provides direct financial assistance or weapons to Pakistan, it can affect India-Pak strategic balance.
- Obstacles for naval appearance: India’s naval strength is actively present in the Indian Ocean and Gulf region. Saudi- It can be relatively difficult for India to conduct independent operation there due to Pak military exercise or cooperation.
- Pressure may come in crisis: Pakistan-Saudi partnership can create a hindrance to India during safe withdrawal or human mission of citizens in crisis situation, especially in complex security scenarios.
What are the possible opportunities for India?
After the defense agreement in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, everything does not end, nor the roads are closed. India has many occasions that can make their position strong by taking advantage of this. Even today, no country can take India lightly. There are two major reasons for this-first market and another its strength.
Balanced diplomacy
India knows the strategic equations of both countries – Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. If India wants, it can secure its interests by strengthening Saudi Arabia’s energy and investment cooperation.
Flexibility in coalition politics
India is already increasing defense cooperation with Gulf countries like United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman. This cooperation will provide an option to India that even if the Sudeepak axis is strong, it should still remain alternative partners.
Naval power performance
The Indian Navy continues to participate in multinational exercises. Under Operation Sindoor 2.0, India can win the trust of other countries by showing both its naval strength and humanitarian outlook.
Advantage of strategic autonomy
India is neither part of any military alliance, nor its policy depends on any one pole. India has flexibility due to this policy of autonomy.
What is the latest agreement in global perspective
The defense agreement between Saudi Arabia-Pakistan cannot be seen separate from global politics. Superpowers like America, China and Russia have already maintained influence in the Gulf region.
- America is a traditional ally of Saudi Arabia.
- China has deep economic relations with both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
- Russia wants to increase its role in this field through energy politics.
- India will have to balance in this complex scenario and it is possible only through diplomacy.
What can be future strategy
1. Priority to Energy Security: A large part of India’s energy requirements comes from the Gulf. Therefore, energy agreement and long -term contracts will have to be emphasized.
2. Security of diaspora Indians: About 8 million Indians work in the Gulf region. It will be the primary responsibility of India to ensure their safety in any defense cooperation or stress.
3. Extension of security cooperation: India will have to further strengthen naval base and exercise with countries like UAE and Oman.
4. Use of multilateral forums: India can clarify its position on forums like G20, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, so that both Saudi Arabia and Pakistan get balanced messages.
The way forward in the event of Operation Sindoor 2.0?
Now the question arises that if Pakistan again does some nefarious act and India has to run Operation Sindoor 2.0 then what will happen? However, according to the things that have come out of the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan agreement, one will also be considered attacking one. That means if there is an attack on Pakistan, then Saudi Arabia will consider it an attack on itself. But, it is not as easy in behavior. This is not a fight for the neighbors of the neighborhood. Such agreements continue in global politics. Yes, India will have to be cautious. If a situation like Operation Sindoor 2.0 is created, then it will have to take Saudi Arabia in confidence before the operation. Because India is committed to attack itself, in such a situation, the destruction of enemies will be the goal in a situation like Operation Sindoor. The whole world is one on the issue of terrorism, then we have to keep our introduction strong.
Foreign policy will also be helped
Originally, India’s foreign policy and strategic diplomacy are the aspect through which India works rapidly in the safety of its citizens, rescue operations on foreign soil and disaster management. In other words, it is India’s hard power and soft power insertion, where on the one hand India is active in the Gulf region on its own Navy and Air Force, on the other hand it strengthens its image through humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions.
Saudi-Pak Defense Agreement has certainly brought new diplomatic and strategic challenges for India, but India’s multidimensional foreign policy, economic strength and strong naval presence ensures that it is not dependent on any one strategic axis.
India is not only strengthening its civil security and human aspect, but is also creating the image of its active, responsible power globally. If India takes care of energy interests, safety and balanced diplomacy of overseas Indians, then Saudi-Pak nexus will not become a big obstacle in its path. Rather, it can also give India an opportunity to become more active and effective. Yes, a vigilant vision must be kept.