Washington: US President Donald Trump has welcomed the Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence agreement as a "big, bold and important first step" towards enabling the three countries to defend themselves in a "more meaningful way".
Trump's remarks on Sunday came days after the three nations signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, under which an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three.
"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," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
"Congratulations to the Great Leadership of the three Nations mentioned. THIS IS A BIG, BOLD, AND IMPORTANT FIRST STEP — WOW," he wrote.
The agreement was signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
India has said it is assessing the implications of the Mecca agreement for its national security, as well as regional peace and stability.
"As far as this agreement is concerned, we are examining its implications both from the perspective of India's national security and considerations of regional peace and stability," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on August 11.
"India remains fully committed to safeguarding its national interests and will take all necessary measures in this regard," Jaiswal said.