Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar hinted on Friday that some countries are interested in establishing strategic defense agreements with Pakistan in terms of the country’s establishment of strategic defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have reached a landmark common defense agreement under which any aggression against a country will be considered an attack on both. The agreement was held by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The deal was reached within just a few months after the deadly India-Pakistan conflict in May.
Dahl told reporters in London to answer questions about whether other states would join the treaty or similar deals in the ink. “It’s not an autograph overnight; it’s been a few months.”
FM DAR called the agreement a “historical convention”, and he said Pakistan has maintained informal defense arrangements with Saudi Arabia, the same as the agreement signed on Wednesday.
“I believe both sides are happy. Let’s be frank: Saudi Arabia stands with us during tough times (such as sanctions). Their support is very relevant and important.” “Similarly, in the current crisis since 2022-2023, Saudi Arabia stands with us when we need the support of the International Monetary Fund (International Monetary Fund).
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Reuters The nuclear weapon is “not in the convention”. He said the agreement could be extended to cover other Gulf countries.
“We have no intention of invading this treaty,” Asif said. “But if the parties are threatened, then obviously, this arrangement will become surgery.”
In contrast, asking a day ago whether Pakistan’s nuclear assets could also be used under the agreement, Asif said: “What we have, our capabilities will definitely be provided under the agreement.
The development was also welcomed by PPP Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
In addition, India said it hopes Saudi Arabia will keep in mind the common interests and sensitivity between it and Archives Pakistan.
“India and Saudi Arabia have established extensive strategic partnerships over the past few years, which has been deepened in the past few years,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesman for the Indian Foreign Ministry, to reporters at a weekly press conference.
“We expect this strategic partnership to bear the common interests and sensitivity in mind,” he said.
Saudi Arabia is one of the top oil exporters to India, and this year the two countries agreed to promote cooperation on the supply of crude oil and liquefied oil and natural gas.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this year that the two countries are also exploring joint projects for refineries and petrochemicals.
A day ago, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the agreement was already considering the issue and would look at the impact on New Delhi.
Neighbors fought three major wars, as well as many conflicts, including the four-day conflict in May, their heaviest battle in decades.
