The Ministry of External Affairs said that India has a "wide-ranging strategic partnership" with Saudi Arabia, which has "deepened considerably" in recent years.

Replying to questions on the new Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defence agreement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We expect that this strategic partnership will keep in mind mutual interests and sensitivities." His statement came after Riyadh and Islamabad signed a "Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement" earlier in the week, which raised speculation that Saudi Arabia might gain access to Pakistan's nuclear shield.

The agreement links Saudi Arabia's financial capacity with Pakistan's military strength, as Pakistan is the only Muslim country with nuclear arms. Saudi authorities said the pact covers "all military means."

Analysts told Reuters that the deal reflects a growing lack of trust in the United States as a longterm security partner for Gulf countries.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif clarified that nuclear weapons were "not on the radar" of the agreement. He said, "We have no intention of using this pact for any aggression. But if the parties are threatened, then obviously this arrangement will become operative." He also noted that the framework could be extended to other Gulf states. Riyadh has in the past said it would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired them.