Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have signed the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. The pact sets up a collective defence framework that Iran has been offered to join and is now reviewing. The move happens during continuing Saudi-Houthi friction.
Observers compare the new alliance to a Muslim Nato or to the old Baghdad Pact. India has minimised the deal. An Indian official raised doubts over what the agreement has delivered during active military situations in the member countries. The statement suggests New Delhi is sceptical about the actual usefulness of the pact.