New Delhi: India on Friday (September 19 ) said it expects Saudi Arabia to take into account “mutual interests and sensitivities” following Riyadh’s decision to sign a landmark strategic defence agreement with Pakistan.
The pact, inked on September 17 between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, states that “any aggression against either of the two countries shall be considered as an aggression against both.”
India stresses strategic ties
Responding to questions at his weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the growing India-Saudi relationship. “India and Saudi Arabia have a wide-ranging strategic partnership that has deepened considerably in the last few years,” he said. “We expect that our strategic partnership will keep in mind mutual interests and sensitivities.”
Sharif was accompanied by Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during his visit to Riyadh.
Pact to boost security
In their joint statement, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia said the “Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement” reflects the “shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security” and is designed to “develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.”
Pakistan has long been a close ally of Saudi Arabia, particularly in the defence sphere, with both nations sharing longstanding military ties.