and signed a strategic defense pact on Wednesday, as both countries deepened their .
Making the announcements, both countries said they would consider an attack on one as “an aggression against both.”
The enhanced defense agreement follows as Gulf Arab states continue to grow wary about the reliability of the as their longstanding security guarantor.
“This agreement… aims to develop aspects of defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression,” a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency said.
“The agreement states that any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both.”
What to know about Saudi Arabia’s ties with Pakistan and India
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who’s making a state visit, embraced after signing the deal.
The pact follows a tense four-day conflict between nuclear powers Pakistan and in May, which saw 70 military personnel and civilians killed following missile, drone and artillery fire.
The military flare-up sparked the worst round of fighting between the two sides since 1999, with Saudi Arabia reportedly believed to have played a part in deescalating tensions.
Saudi Arabia is India’s third-largest oil supplier, with the South Asian country relying on petroleum imports from the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Islamabad has ensured to maintain equally close ties, with more than 2.5 million of its nationals currently estimated to be living and working in Saudi.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
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