India urges Saudi Arabia to respect its 'sensitivities' following a bilateral agreement with Pakistan
In a significant development, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a mutual defense pact on September 19, 2021. This move comes amidst ongoing diplomatic upheaval in the Middle East and just months after a deadly India-Pakistan conflict, their heaviest fighting in decades.
The defense pact states that any aggression against either Saudi Arabia or Pakistan will be considered an aggression against both countries. This could potentially provide Riyadh with a de facto nuclear shield, given that Pakistan is the only nuclear-armed Muslim country.
India, a key player in the region, has expressed concerns over the implications of this pact. India's foreign ministry is studying the implications of the Pak-Saudi mutual defense pact for New Delhi. The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that the implications for national security are being analyzed.
India and Saudi Arabia, however, have a wide-ranging strategic partnership that has deepened in recent years. The two countries have agreed this year to boost cooperation in crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas supplies. They are also exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals, as mentioned by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India expects that its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia will keep in mind mutual interests and sensitivities. In recent months, India has intensified strategic partnerships particularly with the United States through military cooperation including exercises like Yudh Abhyas 2025, and also strengthened ties with the European Union and Germany, emphasizing collaboration in economy, technology, and security in the Indo-Pacific region. India views these alliances pragmatically, aiming to balance relations with Western countries while maintaining strategic autonomy and multipolar global engagement.
It is worth noting that the Pakistani military, with over 600,000 soldiers, serves as a defense against its larger adversary, India. Pakistan, despite being one of the poorer countries in Asia, is a party to the defense pact with Saudi Arabia.
The defense pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is a significant geopolitical move that could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East. As the situation unfolds, it will be important for all parties to maintain a peaceful and diplomatic approach to ensure regional stability and security.
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