समसंधौ तु यः सम्पन्नं मित्रं मित्रकृच्छ्रे वा मित्रमवाप्नोति सोऽतिसंधत्ते ॥ कZ_०७.९.०७ ॥
samasaṃdhau tu yaḥ sampannaṃ mitraṃ mitrakṛcchre vā mitram avāpnoti so 'tisaṃdhatte
Even within an equal alliance, whoever obtains a prosperous ally—or secures an ally when the ally is in distress—has effectively made an over-advantage pact.
Because the distressed party’s bargaining power is reduced; the stronger party can secure concessions or dependence while the pact may still appear 'equal' in form.