Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defence agreement

• Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a strategic defence agreement on September 17.

• Under the pact, any aggression against either country shall be considered as an act of aggression against both. 

• The ‘Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement’ was signed by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh.

• The key defence deal comes months after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a military campaign targeting multiple terror hubs in Pakistan, on May 7 in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack.

• India’s action sparked a two-day-long military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbours, which ended after a ceasefire was reached on May 10.

• India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was aware of the development. India would study its implications for the country’s security and for regional stability.

• Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed close trade and military ties going back decades.