Saudi Arabia, Pakistan ink defence agreement: MEA to 'study impact' of deal

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have inked a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both reported news agency ANIThe agreement was signed during a state visit by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to Riyadh following an invitation from Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al SaudAccording to a joint statement issued following the visit building on the historic partnership extending for nearly eight decades between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and based on the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity as well as shared strategic interests and close defence cooperation between the two countries HRH the Crown Prince and the Pakistani prime minister signed a Strategic Mutual Defence AgreementThe joint statement further read that the agreement which ldquoreflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhance their security and to achieving security and peace in the region and the world aims to develop aspects of defence cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against bothrdquoSharif also conveyed greetings to the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and expressed his gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his warm and hospitalityAccording to ANI the Crown Prince extended his best wishes for Sharifs health and the continued progress and prosperity of the people of PakistanThe official session of talks between the two leaders was held at AlYamamah Palace It was attended by delegations from both countries where they reviewed the historic and strategic relations spanning nearly eight decades rooted in shared interests between the two nations ANI reportedAccording to The Express Tribune Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Army Chief Asim Munir Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb Information Minister Attaullah Tarar Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi were also a part of the delegationMeanwhile Indias Ministry of External Affairs said that it would study the impact of the development on national security and regional stability on the agreement between Islamabad and RiyadhWe have seen reports of the signing of a strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan The Government was aware that this development which formalizes a longstanding arrangement between the two countries had been under consideration We will study the implications of this development for our national security as well as for regional and global stability The Government remains committed to protecting Indias national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all domains the ministry statedWith ANI inputs