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Donald Trump praised the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan. The pact has drawn support from Islamabad and a cautious security review from India.
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Washington/islamabad,UPDATED: Aug 17, 2026 17:22 IST
US President Donald Trump has described the Saudi Arabia-Turkiye-Pakistan defence agreement as a “big, bold and important first step” towards enabling the three countries to defend themselves “in a more meaningful way”. The agreement, signed in Makkah on August 7, sets out a framework for collective deterrence and says that an armed attack on any one of the three countries will be treated as an attack on all.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed Trump’s remarks and said Islamabad would continue to work for the defence of its own country and the wider region. Days after the agreement was signed, India said it was assessing its implications from the perspective of its national security as well as regional peace and stability.
The agreement was signed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sharif.
In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump 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.”
He added, “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.”
On August 11, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing in New Delhi, “India remains fully committed to safeguarding its national interests and will take all necessary measures in this regard.”
Trump’s remarks, Sharif’s response and India’s statement came after the August 7 signing of the Makkah defence agreement by Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, under which the three countries agreed on a framework for collective deterrence and said an attack on one would be treated as an attack on all.
With PTI Inputs
- Ends
Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Aug 17, 2026 17:22 IST
