SRINAGAR : US President Donald Trump has described the recently signed defence agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan as a “big, bold and important first step”, saying the pact would enable the three countries to strengthen their collective defence.
Trump made the remarks in a post on his Truth Social account, welcoming the signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement by the three countries.
The agreement, signed on August 7, provides that an armed attack against any one of the three signatories would be treated as an attack against all of them.
“Very happy to see that Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have recently, and finally, signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement,” Trump said, adding that the development reflected greater cooperation among countries in the Middle East.
He also congratulated the leadership of the three countries, describing the agreement as a significant step towards enabling them to defend themselves in a “more meaningful way”.
The pact was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The agreement has also drawn attention in India, with the government saying it is assessing its possible implications for national security and regional stability.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said on August 11 that India was examining the agreement from the perspective of both national security and regional peace and stability.
He said India remained committed to protecting its national interests and would take all necessary measures in this regard.
