"MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Stresses the Importance of Aligning Interests with Saudi Arabia Following the Pakistan Agreement"
India and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their strategic partnership over the last several years, as evidenced by the recent signing of a defense pact. According to the agreement, any attack on either nation will be considered an attack on both. However, neither the MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, nor the Pakistani authorities have provided details about the nature of the mutual interests and sensitivities in this context.
On the diplomatic front, Jaiswal confirmed talks had been held between NSA Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, on September 19, 2025. The discussions are being viewed as a "reset" in India-Canada relations and covered various topics, including intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism, Khalistani extremism, and the extradition of wanted terrorists.
In a separate development, Jaiswal stated that India is examining the implications of the revocation of the US sanctions waiver on the Chabahar port. The Trump administration announced the withdrawal of the waiver on the Chabahar Port with effect from September 29, 2025. The Chabahar Port has been central to India's plans to establish a direct trade and transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Trade talks with the US, according to Jaiswal, were positive and forward-looking, aiming for an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement. However, he did not discuss any potential impact of the revocation of the US sanctions waiver on India's relationship with the US.
In other news, the US embassy in New Delhi has revoked and denied visas for certain Indian businessmen due to their involvement in trafficking fentanyl precursors.
Regarding regional affairs, no comment was made by Jaiswal regarding the defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The talks between the NSAs provided an opportunity to follow up on the discussions between Prime Ministers Modi and Carney on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada. If the Nijjar issue came up in the discussions between the NSAs, it was part of the regular bilateral security consultations between the two countries.
MEA spokesperson Jaiswal expects Saudi Arabia to consider mutual interests and sensitivities regarding their strategic partnership with India. The US waiver granted in 2018 allowed India to develop and operate the Chabahar Port without violating US sanctions on Iran.
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