Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala lambasted the Narendra Modi government's foreign policy as an "obsession with optics" that has dangerously isolated India, following Saudi Arabia's recent "strategic mutual defence" agreement with Pakistan. The pact, which treats an attack on one nation as aggression against both—and hints at nuclear cooperation—has sparked fears of a major shift in regional alliances, potentially undermining India's security interests.

Surjewala, in a pointed post on X, questioned how a key Gulf partner like Saudi Arabia, India's second-largest trading ally with bilateral trade exceeding USD 42 billion, could "drift so decisively into Islamabad's corner." He highlighted the irony: Just months ago, in April 2025, Prime Minister Modi cut short a Saudi visit amid the Pahalgam terror attack, leading to India's Operation Sindoor by the armed forces. Now, the same kingdom has extended a defense umbrella to Pakistan, a nation Congress accuses of sponsoring terrorism.

"This is not politics; it's national interest," Surjewala emphasized. "Modi's foreign policy has allowed Pakistan to gain a powerful new shield, instead of isolating it for its terror links. National security can't be managed with event management." He posed tough questions: Will Saudi Arabia back India in future terror strikes from Pakistan, as it did in April, or honor its treaty with Islamabad? How did India fail to secure its own safeguards while Modi built "personal bonhomie" through visits and awards?

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The Congress leader drew a stark contrast between the government's touted "global rise"—evidenced by ceremonial honors from nations like Saudi Arabia—and the "glaring contradiction" of those same countries bolstering Pakistan's defenses. "It's not Pakistan winning; it's India at a disadvantage. Our leadership is caught in optics, ignoring substance," Surjewala said, warning that such lapses leave the nation vulnerable.

The party first raised alarms on Thursday, labeling the pact a "grave implication" for India's security and a blow to Modi's "personalized diplomacy." As tensions simmer in the region, Surjewala urged a reevaluation of India's strategy, stressing that true diplomacy demands securing hard interests over photo-ops. With Pakistan's terror history and Saudi's growing military ties to Islamabad, the agreement could reshape South Asian geopolitics, forcing New Delhi to navigate a more precarious landscape.

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