Our relations with India and Pakistan are different, Jaishankar raised questions on F-16 deal, America had to clarify
Ned Price said that we see the two countries as allies because our principles are similar in many respects. Our relationship with India is different and our relationship with Pakistan is different. The reason for India’s concern is the US $ 450 million package that it is going to give to Pakistan for the maintenance of the fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft. The Biden administration has approved this financial aid, reversing the decision of former US President Donald Trump.
America’s growing closeness in Pakistan?
Ever since Shahbaz Sharif’s government came in Pakistan after Imran Khan, the closeness between Pakistan and America has increased. This package testifies to that. Recently, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who arrived in the US to attend the United Nations General Assembly session, met Biden. This meeting was also important because it is said that after becoming the President, Biden never spoke to former Pak PM Imran Khan even on the phone.
Jaishankar raised questions on relations
In an event organized by the Indian-American community, Jaishankar had questioned the US-Pakistan relationship, saying that it was a relationship that neither benefited Pakistan nor benefited America. America today needs to look at what is special about this relationship and what it has gained from it. Regarding the package being given to Pakistan, the US had argued that the package has been approved for the maintenance of F-16 to counter terrorism.
‘You can’t fool anyone’
Referring to America’s argument, Jaishankar said that everyone knows where and against whom the F-16 is used. In response to a question, he said, ‘You cannot fool anyone by saying such things.’ Earlier, India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had also expressed concern to his American counterpart Lloyd Austin over America’s decision.
