NEW DELHI – India expressed disappointment over Obama administration’s decision to sell eight F-16 combat aircrafts to Pakistan and summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma on Saturday here.
According to the Indian channel Zee News, India conveyed its displeasure and disappointment to the US envoy when he arrived at the South Block. Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Verma to the South Block and told him about India’s concerns over US military aid to Pakistan which New Delhi believes goes into anti-India activities.
“We are disappointed at decision of the Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan.” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said. “We disagree with their rationale that such arm transfers help to combat terrorism,” India’s Foreign Ministry spokesman India’s Foreign Ministry said on Twitter.
We are disappointed at the decision of the Obama Administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan pic.twitter.com/NGdrAL2m9i
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) February 13, 2016
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The Defence Security Cooperation Agency – a wing of the Pentagon – said in a statement, that this proposed sale worth nearly USD 700 million contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia.
The Pentagon said that the proposed sale improves Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future security threats sand won’t alter the military balance in the region.
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