Pakistan says Delhi F-16s reaction ‘disappointing’

Islamabad on Sunday expressed disappointment at the Indian government’s reaction regarding Pakistan’s purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the United States.

A foreign ministry statement said that Indian government’s reaction surprised and disappointed Pakistan.

It said India was the largest importer of defence equipment and its arms and arsenal stock was much larger than Pakistan’s.

On the F-16s sale, the statement said Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism.

It said that the US spokesperson had clearly announced the sale is to enhance Pakistan’s precision strike capability to combat terrorism.

Pakistan’s reaction comes a day after India summoned US ambassador Richard Verma to convey its “displeasure and disappointment” over the Obama administration’s decision to sell eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets worth nearly $700 million to Pakistan.

Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar summoned Mr Verma to the South Block, and during the 45-minute meeting told him about India’s concerns over US military aid to Pakistan which New Delhi believes goes into anti-India activities.

“We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism,” Vikas Swarup, a spokesperson for India’s foreign ministry, had said.

Sources said that such military aids will embolden Pakistan.

The proposal is likely to face stiff resistance in the Republican-controlled Congress.