देश-विदेश

The defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye has emerged as a major strategic concern for India. The three countries signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7. Under the pact, an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack against all three. The agreement has attracted significant attention in New Delhi. Indian analysts are assessing its possible impact on the regional balance of power. An Indian media analysis recalled comments made by Indian Army Deputy Chief Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh in 2025. He had said that during the military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May, India faced several forms of support for Pakistan. The analysis claimed that Pakistan was directly involved in the conflict. It also alleged that China provided satellite information to Pakistan. Türkiye was accused of providing military assistance to Pakistan. The assistance reportedly included drones and other defence equipment. Saudi Arabia’s participation has now added another dimension to India’s concerns. Indian analysts fear that Riyadh could support Pakistan if another armed conflict breaks out between India and Pakistan. The concern comes despite India’s strong relations with Saudi Arabia. The two countries have extensive economic and strategic ties. India and Saudi Arabia cooperate in oil, trade, investment, security and cultural affairs. Their bilateral trade is estimated at around $43 billion. Saudi Arabia also remains an important supplier of crude oil to India. It reportedly meets around 14% of India’s crude oil requirements. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also have a long history of defence cooperation. Pakistan has provided military training to Saudi forces. Pakistani military personnel have also been deployed in Saudi Arabia at different times. The Indian analysis claimed that Pakistan sent around 8,000 military personnel and 16 JF-17 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during 2026. It also referred to reports about possible Pakistani drone support and Chinese-made air defence systems. These developments were reportedly linked to Saudi Arabia’s security concerns and attacks involving drones. The relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye has also expanded significantly in recent years. The two countries have increased cooperation in defence technology and military production. Pakistan has acquired Turkish-made warships and other defence equipment. Türkiye has also supported the modernisation of Pakistan’s naval capabilities. The two countries are also cooperating in the field of unmanned aerial systems. Pakistan has acquired Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı drones. Both sides have discussed and worked on expanding cooperation in drone technology. Türkiye’s KAAN stealth fighter has also attracted interest from Pakistan. However, no final purchase agreement for the aircraft has been confirmed.

At least 13 people were killed in a terrorist attack targeting civilian facilities in Nizhnekamsk, Russia’s Tatarstan region, on August 10, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said most of those killed were foreign nationals. Preliminary information indicated that eight victims were citizens of Uzbekistan, while another victim was from Tajikistan. Around 20 foreign nationals were also reported to have been injured in the attack. Zakharova accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting civilian locations where foreign workers and residents from countries friendly to Russia were present. She claimed the attack was intended to create tensions between Russia and those nations. The Russian official described the incident as a terrorist attack and said such strikes have resulted in the deaths of both Russian citizens and nationals of other countries. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the families and relatives of those killed. It also wished a rapid recovery to those injured. Moscow further urged the international community to condemn what it described as attacks against civilian targets. The accusations were made by the Russian Foreign Ministry as part of its response to the Nizhnekamsk incident. The claims concerning responsibility and the circumstances surrounding the attack could not be independently verified from the statement alone. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of foreign nationals working and living in areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Further details about the victims, the extent of the damage and the circumstances of the attack are expected as investigations continue.

KABUL: Afghan fathers are facing growing distress as their daughters remain unable to continue their education beyond primary school under restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities. Families across Afghanistan say the education ban is creating deep emotional and financial pressure. Some fathers are openly questioning the policy, despite their religious beliefs and support for other government measures. The Taliban administration has defended the restrictions as temporary and based on its interpretation of religious principles. However, many Afghan men say they cannot understand why girls should be prevented from receiving secondary education. A United Nations survey conducted last year found that about nine out of 10 Afghan men considered it important for girls to attend secondary school. Nearly two-thirds also viewed supporting a daughter’s education as a religiously commendable act. Girls were barred from secondary schools after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Women were later also prohibited from attending universities. The restrictions have affected a large number of young Afghan women and girls. For many families, the approaching end of primary education has become a source of fear. Fathers worry that their daughters will lose their chance to pursue higher education and build professional careers. One father, identified as Ahmad, said he had never imagined that his daughters could be forced to stop studying. His wife is a mathematics teacher who is also unable to continue teaching secondary-level students. Ahmad said his eldest daughter is approaching the end of primary school. The family has considered private and underground educational options, but the cost is difficult to manage. Another father, a doctor identified as Mohammad, said he had always wanted his daughters to attend leading universities. He believes women are essential to Afghanistan’s development and should have opportunities beyond household responsibilities. His daughters are approaching the age when they will be forced to leave formal schooling. The family has considered sending them abroad, including to Pakistan, but changing regional circumstances have made that option difficult. Some families have turned to private schools that secretly provide general education alongside religious studies. These institutions often charge high fees and may not provide recognised graduation certificates. Parents also fear that authorities could take action against schools operating outside official restrictions. This leaves families caught between protecting their children and trying to continue their education. Another father from Kandahar said his young daughter has a strong interest in astronomy. She asks questions about the solar system, gravity and science. The girl reportedly asked her father how she could continue learning if she could not study beyond the sixth grade. Her question has become a painful reminder of the limited opportunities available to girls. Some families have moved to Kabul in search of better educational opportunities. Others are relying on online courses, home schooling and secret classes. The restrictions are also affecting children emotionally. Parents say many girls feel frustrated, isolated and uncertain about their future. One father said his teenage daughter often stays at home and becomes deeply upset when she thinks about her education. He said he sometimes leaves the room because he cannot control his emotions and ends up crying privately. Another family has created a home-schooling routine using old secondary-school textbooks. The parents try to maintain a school-like schedule so their daughters can continue learning. However, the parents say home education cannot fully replace a formal school environment. They worry about the lack of recognised qualifications, social interaction and access to trained teachers. Some girls have also begun attending secret classes. Their families remain concerned about possible consequences if the authorities discover them. The prolonged restrictions have created uncertainty for an entire generation of Afghan girls. Parents fear that years without formal education will limit their daughters’ future opportunities