'Big, Bold & Important First Step': US President Donald Trump Hails Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca Defence Pact As Major Move Towards Collective Security

US President Donald Trump hailed the Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan defence pact as a significant first step towards collective security in the Middle East. He described the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed on August 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as a "big, bold and important first step."

Trump's comments came after the three nations agreed to treat an armed offensive against any of the countries as an attack on all three. Trump expressed his happiness at the agreement, stating that it demonstrates the Middle East coming together to defend itself in a more meaningful way. He also congratulated the leadership of the three nations involved.

However, India's External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that the country is assessing the implications of the agreement on its national security and regional peace.