Pakistan has four close friends, India doesn’t have even one…there is bound to be tension, will Saudi attack us if there is a war?
Pakistan has four close friends, India doesn't have even one.
How many friends does India currently have in the world, or how many friends has India made who can stand by us in times of need? If you go looking for answers, you probably won’t find any. Even Russia, a longtime friend of India, didn’t openly support us during Operation Sindoor. The United States was a different matter altogether. Other countries with which India has good relations have also avoided speaking openly, offering vague responses. Meanwhile, Pakistan received open support from many countries. In this series, it has gained another friend.
Pakistan has found a significant ally, who is he?
Recently, on September 17th, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense agreement. This pact was signed during Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif signed the agreement. The report states that this agreement, called the “Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement,” further strengthens the decades-old security partnership between the two countries. This pact prominently states that in the event of an attack on one country, the other country will also consider it an attack on itself, and both countries will respond.
The Indian Foreign Ministry is also aware of this
The Indian Foreign Ministry is also monitoring the situation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government was aware that a long-standing agreement between the two countries was being formalized. He stated that the government would study the implications of this development on national security, regional, and global stability. The statement also stated that the government is committed to protecting India’s national interests and ensuring comprehensive national security in all areas.
Why is this agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia?
A report published on Mint, quoting Reuters, stated that this agreement is the result of years of negotiations. It is not a reaction to any specific country or specific events, but rather an institutionalization of long-term and deep cooperation between the two countries. This agreement comes at a time when Gulf monarchies are trying to balance relations with both Israel and Iran to address long-standing security concerns.
What will happen to Saudi Arabia’s relations with India?
Defense expert Lieutenant Colonel (Retd.) JS Sodhi explains that even though Saudi Arabia has signed a defense agreement with Pakistan, it will not want to harm its relations with India. India has a good relationship with Saudi Arabia. The entire Gulf nation is already populated by Indians. However, such an agreement would force Saudi Arabia to support Pakistan. In the event of a conflict, it could provide military assistance instead of directly attacking.
Pakistan’s strength increased due to these four factors
Defense analyst JS Sodhi explains that during Operation Sindoor, three countries stood with Pakistan. China, Turkey, and Azerbaijan openly supported Pakistan. Now, with this agreement, Pakistan will also receive the firm support of Saudi Arabia. India, on the other hand, did not receive open support from the United States, Russia, or any other country. Russia also supported India only reluctantly.
India should enhance its defense preparedness
According to defense expert J.S. Sodhi, India should accelerate its defense preparedness and expand its defense relations with other countries around the world. Saudi Arabia may have a small army, but it possesses significant military power. It receives the most advanced weapons from the United States, China, and Russia. India should also further strengthen its relations with Saudi Arabia, as Saudi Arabia has previously supported India on issues of terrorism.
