Examining implications for national security: MEA on Pak-Saudi-Turkey defence pact
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said India is assessing the implications of a new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, including
The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said India is assessing the implications of a new defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, including its potential impact on New Delhi's national security and regional stability. The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7 after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks. Read Full Story External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was closely examining the agreement. "As far as this agreement is concerned, we are examining its implications both from the perspective of India's national security and considerations of regional peace and stability," Jaiswal said at his bi-weekly media briefing.
"India remains fully committed to safeguarding its national interests and will take all necessary measures in this regard," he added. PACT PLEDGES COLLECTIVE DEFENCE A joint statement issued by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey said the agreement was based on shared strategic interests and longstanding defence cooperation among the three countries. "The agreement is intended to strengthen collective deterrence against any act of aggression, and stipulates that any armed attack against any one of the three states shall be regarded as an attack against them all," the statement said. "It further provides for the enhancement of all aspects of defence cooperation among the three states," it added. India said its assessment would focus both on the direct security implications and the wider impact on peace and stability in the region.
Jaiswal also said New Delhi continued to closely monitor developments linked to the conflict in West Asia. "India continues to closely follow all developments in the West Asia conflict," he said. INDIA SLAMS PAKISTAN OVER POK He also addressed questions about events held in different parts of the world to mark the "independence" of Pakistan's Balochistan province. He also referred to violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). "We continue to follow developments across the world. At the same time, I would like to highlight that we have seen the kind of human rights violations that were committed in POK and other parts of that country," Jaiswal said. "We call on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds, abuses and flagrant violation of human rights, including of all its people," he added.
The BriefWire