India on Friday adopted a cautious stance on the recently signed strategic mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, emphasizing that New Delhi shares a deep and growing partnership with Riyadh.

“India and Saudi Arabia have a wide-ranging strategic partnership which has deepened considerably in the last several years. We expect that this strategic partnership will keep in mind mutual interests and sensitivities,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing.

The pact, signed on Wednesday by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, states that an attack on either nation would be considered an aggression against both. It also aims to enhance defence cooperation and strengthen joint deterrence capabilities.

The timing of the agreement comes just months after the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir. The hostilities ended on May 10 following a ceasefire request from Pakistan’s DGMO.

Jaiswal, however, used the occasion to strongly reiterate India’s stance on terrorism. “On terrorism matters, we are clear that the world is aware of the nexus between the terrorists and the Pakistani state and the military,” he said.