India, Sept. 20 -- The recent signing of a defence cooperation pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan introduces a new dynamic in South Asia, with significant implications for India (India flags Pakistan, Saudi defence pact, September 19). For Pakistan, long a strategic adversary of India, the agreement represents both diplomatic leverage and a military boost at a time of economic distress and regional isolation.
Saudi Arabia, however, presents a dual equation for India. It is not only a vital energy supplier and a key trade partner but also the host country for millions of Indian expatriates who contribute substantial remittances. Any shift in Riyadh's alignment must therefore be read with both caution and nuance. The convergence of Saudi...