- The whole world is aware of how the Pakistani deep state has not only inflicted immeasurable destruction in India, courtesy of unleashing terrorist related activities resulting in the innocent killings of civilians and military personnel. This has been a regular occurrence since Indian independence. Despite a few debilitating wars fought between the two neighbours, India emerging victorious every single time, Pakistan simply doesn’t seem to learn the futility of encouraging and waging terrorism related activities. As it is, the dire economic condition of Pakistan is known to the global community since the country exists on borrowing funds from overseas. However, Pakistan’s penchant for defence-related investment hasn’t reduced, though.
PC: Times of India
- Looked from the Pakistani perspective, the USA’s newfound affinity towards Islamabad since Trump assumed charge of the presidency of the USA for the second term must be warming the cockles of generals and other allies, including most wanted terrorists. As such, the recently announced new defence pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia comes as a surprise as well as concern for New Delhi. The signing of a strategic mutual defence agreement has got regional players, including India, taking note of the same with apprehension. The agreement states that any aggression against either country will be treated as aggression against both. This pact comes on the heels of Israel’s attack on Qatar and the subsequent Arab-Islamic summit hosted by Doha.
PC: Arab News
- Thus, the Saudi-Pak pact is being viewed by many as Riyadh’s insurance policy. After all, Gulf Arab states have long relied on the US for security, hosting multiple American bases and military personnel. But as Qatar found out last week, that wasn’t enough to deter a strike from Israel against Hamas negotiators meeting in Doha. Hence, the enhanced Riyadh-Islamabad security cooperation. The two sides, anyway, had long had military-to-military training and exercises. But the two big questions are whether Riyadh will now fall under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella, and will the Saudis directly come to Pakistan’s military aid should the latter have another conflict with India. On both counts, the answers are probably no. Let’s dwelve further into the same.
PC: Mint
- First, the pact doesn’t seem to specify nuclear assistance to Riyadh. Second, India-Saudi strategic relations have grown tremendously over the last few years what with PM Modi visiting Riyadh for the third time in a decade this April. Given this dynamic, it’s unlikely that the Saudis will jeopardize their relations with New Delhi for Islamabad’s sake. At maximum, the deal is a backstop for both Riyadh and Islamabad. But what’s interesting to note is the latter’s supple diplomacy since the conflict with New Delhi this summer. Pakistan has managed to get into Trump’s good books. China is an all-weather ally. Türkiye aided it during India’s Op Sindoor. And now the pact with the Saudis. India should be wary but not too concerned about the pact and focus on our own strengths.
