‘Key partner’ – US rejects India’s protest over Pakistan’s decision to upgrade F-16 fleet

WASHINGTON: India faced humiliation after the US ignored protests over a proposed $450 million foreign military sale to Pakistan to maintain its fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

Last week, the Security Cooperation Agency of the US Department of Defense issued the certificate required for the possible sale of F-16 aircraft and related equipment to Pakistan.

According to Indian media, this move angered India as the Foreign Ministry raised strong objections during a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lowe in New Delhi.

The Indian objection came despite DSCA’s clarification that the proposed sale of equipment and support would not alter the basic military balance in the region.

Asked about India’s concerns, US State Department spokesman Ned Price replied that we recently presented Congress with a proposed $450 million foreign military contract for maintenance and attainment services for the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 program. Notified of sale.

He asserted that Pakistan is a “key partner” of the US, especially in counter-terrorism efforts.

“And as part of our long-standing policy we provide lifecycle maintenance and sustainability packages for American-origin platforms,” ​​the reports quoted him as saying.

Pakistan’s F-16 program, he said, is an important part of the broader US-Pakistan relationship and the proposed sale would improve Pakistan’s ability to meet current and future counter-terrorism threats while maintaining the F-16 fleet. will remain. This is a fleet that allows Pakistan to support counter-terrorism operations and we expect Pakistan to take sustained action against all terrorist groups.