US President Donald Trump has confirmed that America will sell F-35 fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia. He said that these jets will be similar to the planes that have been given to Israel. Saudi Arabia has formally requested to purchase 48 F-35 jets. Upon completion of this deal, Israel’s status as the ‘sole operator’ of the F-35 in the Middle East will end. At the same time, the news of Saudi Arabia getting F-35 fighter aircraft may also increase the concern for India. The reason for this is the defense agreement on which Pakistan and Saudi Arabia had earlier agreed and which was much discussed at the global level.

Will Pakistan benefit from Saudi’s F-35?
This big question is arising because under that defense agreement, an attack on Pakistan will be considered an attack on Saudi. In such a situation, the concern is whether Pakistan can get indirect benefits from Saudi’s advanced weapons, like F-35? America exports advanced aircraft like F-35 with very strict controls. It provides them only to trusted countries and this involves strict rules related to consent of other partner countries, security guarantees, training and maintenance. Therefore, experts believe that after giving F-35 to Saudi, America will consider it a big risk to allow them to be shared with any other country, especially Pakistan.

Trump said – both are our close partners
Trump, sitting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House, was asked that when America follows the policy of maintaining Israel’s military advantage, then how was the decision taken to give F-35 to Saudi also?

Trump responded that both Israel and Saudi are America’s ‘close partners’. He jokingly told the Crown Prince that Israel wanted the Saudis to be given ‘less capable jets’, ‘but I don’t think you would have been happy with that.’ Trump further said- ‘According to me, both the countries should get the best technology. We are going to make a deal. Saudi will buy F-35.

Is the F-35 deal linked to Israel-Saudi normalization?
The media asked Trump whether this arms deal is related to the possible process of normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel? Trump avoided giving a direct answer and just said – ‘Israel knows about the deal and they will be very happy with it.’

MBS reached White House after seven years, received grand welcome
This was the first visit of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House in the last seven years. He was given a grand welcome on the South Lawn with a military guard of honour, a gun salute and a flyover of American fighter planes.

Announcement to increase Saudi investment to 1 trillion dollars
During the meeting, MBS said that Saudi Arabia will increase its planned investment in America from $600 billion to $1 trillion. Trump immediately replied – ‘Okay, I liked it very much.’ When the Crown Prince was asked how such a large investment would be maintained despite low oil prices, he said that these deals – especially investments related to the semiconductor sector – are part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term development plans. Trump reiterated during the meeting that his mix of trade policies and diplomacy would result in $21 trillion in investment commitments by the end of the year.

There have been good relations between India and Saudi Arabia so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited Saudi thrice to strengthen relationships. He went to Jeddah in April this year after the invitation of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, but now Saudi has cheated India. He has joined hands with Pakistan. One between Saudi and Pak Security cooperation agreement Signed has been signed, which is going to shock India.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have signed a ‘strategic mutual defense’ agreement, according to which any attack on any of them will be considered an attack on both countries. This agreement has been reached a few days after the Israeli attack on Hamas leadership in Qatar. At the same time, there was a struggle between India and Pakistan in May this year. In such a situation, Saudi is shaking hands with Pakistan, deception with India. The special thing is that the deal has been signed between these two on September 17, on this day it was also PM Modi’s birthday.

How is India’s relationship with Saudi till now

India and Saudi relations have been strong so far. Prime Minister Modi has visited Saudi tour in April 2016, October 2019 and April 2025. During this time, there was an agreement between the two countries regarding many areas including health, sports, energy and postal cooperation. There was also talk about two oil refinery in India, but now Saudi is seen changing.

What did Pakistan-Saudi say about the deal

According to a joint statement, the agreement was signed by Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia’s Yuvraj Mohammed bin Salman during the one -day visit to the Pakistani leader on Wednesday (17 September).

What did India say on Pak-Saudi deal

There has also been a reaction from India on the deal of Pakistan and Saudi. Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal gave a balanced response in the matter, saying that India will study the impact of the agreement on its national security as well as regional and global stability. He said that India is committed to protecting its national interests and “ensuring broad national security in all fields”.

Input – Agency