Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a strategic defense agreement. Under this, an attack on one country will be considered an attack on both. India has stated that it will monitor this development and study its impact on security.
New Delhi: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a significant defense agreement on Wednesday. This agreement has been named the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement. According to the agreement, an attack on either country will be considered an attack on both. Thus, both countries have formalized their mutual cooperation and solidarity regarding their security.
When and How the Agreement Was Signed
This agreement was reached during the visit of Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Sharif arrived in Riyadh, where he met Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace. It was during this meeting that the two countries signed this defense agreement.
In a joint statement issued after the agreement, it was stated that this partnership is based on mutual understanding and brotherhood that has spanned eight decades. Both countries have not limited this agreement solely to security but have also linked it to Islamic solidarity and shared strategic interests.
Key Highlights of the Agreement
- An attack on one country will be considered an attack on both.
- Both countries will enhance defense cooperation to ensure each other's security.
- The agreement will also include military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and joint training.
- This deal is an effort not only to strengthen bilateral security but also regional and global stability.
Statement from the Pakistani Government
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office of Pakistan said that this agreement will further strengthen the decades-old relationship between the two countries. The statement clearly stated that if either country is attacked, both will respond together and jointly confront any form of aggression.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan's Partnership
Relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have been deep for a long time. Saudi Arabia has always provided economic and political assistance to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan's military strength has been seen as a security shield for Saudi Arabia. Now, this agreement has given these relations a formal and ber shape.
India's First Statement
India's reaction to this defense agreement has also come to light. Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, stated that India has taken note of this agreement and was aware of it in advance.
He said, "We have seen the news of the signing of the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. This development formalizes a long-standing arrangement between the two countries. We will study its impact on our national security and regional and global stability. The Indian government is fully committed to protecting its national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security."
Report by Dawn Newspaper
According to a report by Pakistan's leading newspaper Dawn, the announcement of this agreement was made by the Prime Minister's Office of Pakistan. It stated that any type of attack will be considered an attack not just on one country but on both, and they will jointly resist it.
Joint Statement Issued After the Agreement
In a joint statement issued by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia after the agreement, it was stated, "Furthering a partnership that has spanned nearly eight decades and based on brotherhood, Islamic solidarity, and shared strategic interests, both countries have signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement."
