New Delhi: India on Friday said it expects Saudi Arabia to take into account New Delhi’s “mutual interests and sensitivities” in the wake of Riyadh’s newly signed defense pact with Pakistan, a deal that has raised eyebrows in South Asia and beyond. The statement came as the Saudi-Pakistan agreement framed as a commitment to stand against aggression toward either country sparked debate about its strategic implications, particularly in light of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that it was aware of the pact and is studying its details. While refraining from direct criticism of Saudi Arabia, New Delhi underscored that Riyadh should be mindful of the depth of its relations with India, which span energy security, economic investments, and strategic cooperation. By invoking “sensitivities,” India signalled that any alignment threatening its security or regional balance would be unacceptable.
The Saudi-Pakistan agreement was sealed just months after deadly hostilities between India and Pakistan in May, making the timing politically sensitive. For Pakistan, the pact is a diplomatic victory, reinforcing ties with one of the Middle East’s most influential states. For Saudi Arabia, the agreement projects an enhanced defence posture and underscores its readiness to deepen military partnerships beyond traditional Gulf alliances.
Despite these developments, India has carefully chosen a tone of diplomatic restraint rather than outright confrontation. Officials stressed that Riyadh remains a vital partner in India’s energy strategy, as Saudi Arabia is one of its top crude oil suppliers and an emerging investor in refinery and petrochemical projects. The message appears to be a reminder that strategic partnerships are built on trust and should not be undermined by defence alignments perceived as hostile.
Analysts suggest that India’s response is not only about the Saudi-Pakistan pact itself but also about managing the optics of shifting regional alignments. Any arrangement that could be interpreted as extending Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence umbrella to Riyadh would complicate India’s security calculus. At the same time, India cannot afford to alienate Saudi Arabia, given its central role in India’s energy imports and the large Indian diaspora working in the kingdom.
The development also reverberates across the broader region. With Iran, the UAE, and China all watching closely, Riyadh’s new pact with Islamabad could set off recalibrations of diplomatic and military ties in both South Asia and the Middle East. For now, India’s message is clear: Saudi Arabia’s friendship must not come at the cost of India’s core concerns.