Islamabad: India has lodged protest with US for finalising a deal to provide a $ 450 million sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

On September 14, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh talked to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin over phone and conveyed his country’s concerns to US official. US-built aircraft are a critical part of military arsenal of Pakistan, whose arch-rival India worries that fleet could be used against it by its neighbour. Taking to Twitter, Singh said, “I conveyed India’s concern at recent US decision to provide a sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

” “It is a sale accord not assistance, why are you worrying, opined an defence analyst.” “One would like to know External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reply, why India is buying oil from Russia in context of Ukraine crisis despite US anger over Ukraine war, he asserted.

“Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin. We discussed growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defence and security cooperation.” “We also discussed ways to strengthen technological and industrial collaboration and also explore cooperation in emerging and critical technologies,” he said. Last week, Indian officials raised same concerns while talking to US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 16 2022

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