US decision to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan disappointing, says India

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A top South Block source told The Sunday Express, “The government has sensitised the US on our concerns on US military sales to Pakistan, including during the meetings with US Secretary of Defense during his visit to India in June 2015. India has consistently conveyed to the US that it must take into account India-US relations and the impact on India’s security in deciding its military assistance to Pakistan. This was reiterated on Saturday by the Foreign Secretary.”

Sources said that Indian ambassador to the US, Arun K Singh, had alerted South Block about the impending announcement by the US administration. The US administration’s decision was conveyed by the Pentagon to the US Congress on Thursday, and was announced on Friday.

In a sharply worded statement, the MEA Saturday expressed disappointment over the US decision. It also disagreed with the rationale that it would help in combating terrorism. “We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan. We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help combat terrorism,” the MEA statement said.

The Obama administration’s decision to sell the F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan has now gone to the US Congress, which has 30 days to take a decision on it.

Sources said New Delhi is pinning its hopes on the Republican-controlled Congress, which has been opposing the deal.