The Congress party has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a strategic mutual defence pact, calling it a serious threat to India’s national security and another failure of what they term Modi’s “personalised diplomacy.”
What Congress is Saying
- Jairam Ramesh, General Secretary (Communications) of Congress, said that the defence agreement under which any attack on Pakistan or Saudi Arabia will be considered an attack on both—poses grave implications for India’s security landscape.
- He described it as “yet another setback for the much-hyped personalised diplomacy of our Prime Minister.”
- Ramesh pointed out that Pakistan’s Army Chief was recently hosted by U.S. leadership, including a lunch at the White House, despite allegations about provocative statements linked to terror incidents in India. He also invoked the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and expressed concern that India’s diplomatic influence seems to be slipping.
What the Pact Says
- The agreement formalises a commitment by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that aggression against one will be treated as aggression against the other.
- It aims to deepen defence cooperation and strengthen deterrence against any external threat.
India’s Reaction
- The Indian government has responded cautiously. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is studying the implications of this pact for national security, regional stability, and global peace.
- A MEA spokesperson emphasized that protecting India’s interests across all security domains remains a priority.
Wider Implications & Expert Views
- Former diplomats like Kanwal Sibal criticized the pact as a “grave mis-step,” warning that it may embolden extremist groups and complicate defence repercussions during tensions with Pakistan.
- The development is also being read as a signal of shifting alignments in the region, raising questions about India’s diplomatic clout and how it balances relations with Saudi Arabia.
Why This Matters
- Defense pacts can shift regional security equations. If Saudi‐Pakistan cooperation strengthens dramatically, India may find its strategic buffer in the Gulf weakened.
- Terms like “any aggression” are broad; how they are interpreted will matter a lot.
- There is growing concern about whether proactive diplomacy and alliances will safeguard India’s strategic interests moving forward.
