India news today in English :India Expresses Concerns Over Saudi-Pakistan Defence Pact | Strategic & Security Implications

 India news today in English: India raises concern about Saudi-Pakistan Defence alliance.

India has also expressed serious issues following Saudi Arabia signing of a mutual defence agreement with Pakistan. The Indian government said that it hopes that Saudi Arabia would take into account the Indian strategic sensitivities in engaging in such partnerships, particularly with Pakistan, considering the historical spillovers between New Delhi and Islamabad.

This has caused a wave throughout the South Asian geopolitics with analysts considering the pact as a possible change in alliances in the region. In the case of India which has been having increasingly developing relationships in terms of trade, energy, and strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, the recent Saudi-Pakistan defence alliance is prompted by a warning and second thoughts.

History of the Defence Pact.

The military training, sharing of intelligence and weapon supply are reported to be covered in the Saudi-Pakistan defence agreement. Pakistan that has been more or less relying on Saudi financial aid is considering this agreement as a boost to defence capabilities. In the case of Riyadh, a closer military relationship with Islamabad would provide military support and a geopolitical advantage in South Asia.

But, in the case of India, such cooperation cannot be left unnoticed. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in several wars over Kashmir and they are still in conflict over the state. New Delhi perceives any external defence aid to Pakistan as a natural threat.

India’s Reaction

As per the official statements, India has sent a message to Saudi Arabia that India does not want Saudi Arabia to overlook its security needs as India is a sovereign nation but expects Saudi Arabia to be sensitive to Indian needs in terms of security.

In the recent years, India and Saudi Arabia have grown to have very strong relations. Trade between the two countries has gone beyond billions of dollars and Saudi Arabia is currently the fourth-largest partner of India in trade. The Kingdom is also a crucial part in the energy security of India as it serves a significant part of the demand of its crude oil.

Therefore, New Delhi has given Riyadh a reminder that regional stability and the security of India should not be compromised because of making strategic decisions that touch on South Asia.

Saudi Arabia’s Balancing Act

Traditionally, Saudi Arabia has had strong relationships with Pakistan, the cooperation is based on religious and cultural, as well as defence. Concurrently, over the past ten years, Riyadh has been striving to enhance its relationship with India particularly in investment, counter-terrorism, and technology.

This balancing act is also strained. Saudi Arabia, by signing a defence agreement with Pakistan, endangers to cause tension with India. Nonetheless, analysts suspect that Riyadh will seek to assure New Delhi that the agreement is not out to target the Indian interests but only to enhance its security system.

Regional Implications

The Saudi-Pakistan defence deal may bear various consequences on the region of South Asia:

1. Rivalry between India and Pakistan Intensifies-Any foreign assistance given to Pakistan will further stiffen the position of India particularly that of Kashmir.

2. Change in Gulf Diplomacy -Gulf states, which traditionally remain neutral between India and Pakistan, can become closer to Islamabad in the event that Riyadh leads by example.

3. Influence on Trade and Investment - India can reconsider the facets of economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia, though energy relationships are not likely to be influenced in the short run.

4. China Factor - As China-Pakistan relations are already proven strong a Saudi defence connection may form deeper co-ordination with the interests of India in the region.

India’s Strategic

India is supposed to deal with this diplomatically. Analysts predict that New Delhi is not going to confront and instead it will still keep up the dialogue with Saudi Arabia.

India can also tighten its ties with other Gulf countries such as the UAE and Qatar which have recently expressed interest in enhanced defence and economic relations with India. In addition, the relationship that India has with the United States, Japan, and Australia as part of the Quad grouping also gives strategic advantage towards balancing emergent alliances in the region.

Conclusion

The Saudi-Pakistan defence agreement is a token of the intricate geopolitics of the South Asian and Middle East. As Pakistan rejoices in a closer alliance with the military, India is conservative and has made its worries felt.

In the case of Saudi Arabia, this will be how the country can continue to be traditionally friends with Pakistan without undermining its fast paced strategic and economic relationship with India.

Within the next few months, the India-Riyadh diplomatic contact will play a significant role in facilitating the success of this agreement in not derailing the India-Saudi strategic partnership which has been gradually progressing.