Washington/Islamabad: US President Donald Trump has termed the Saudi Arabia-Turkiye-Pakistan defence agreement a “big, bold and important first step” towards defending themselves in a “more meaningful way”.
Signed in Makkah August 7, the pact establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulated that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be considered an attack on all three.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif on Monday lauded Trump’s “kind words” on the tri-nation defence agreement, saying that Islamabad would continue to work in ensuring its defence and the wider region.
Trump, in a post on his Truth Social network, said, “Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. It shows how the Middle East is coming together, and how countries will finally be able to defend themselves in a more meaningful way.”
“Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP – WOW,” Trump wrote.
Sharif, in a post on X, said, “Deeply appreciate President Donald Trump’s kind words of support on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.”
“Together with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkiye, Pakistan will continue to play a constructive role in ensuring the defence of our own countries as well as the entire region.”
Days after the agreement was signed, India said it is assessing the implications of it through the point of view of its own national security as well as regional peace and stability.
“India remains fully committed to safeguarding its national interests and will take all necessary measures in this regard,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press briefing in New Delhi on August 11.
PTI