Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have formalised the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The pact sets up a collective defence arrangement that Iran has been offered to join and is now reviewing. The move comes during unresolved Saudi-Houthi tensions.
Observers equate the new alliance to a Muslim Nato or to the old Baghdad Pact. India has dismissed the deal. An Indian official raised doubts over what the agreement has achieved during current military situations in the member countries. The statement suggests New Delhi is sceptical about the practical impact of the agreement.