Despite India’s worries, the US is prepared to provide Pakistan a USD 450 million F-16 sustainment package because the Senate has not objected to the agreement within the required 30-day notice period. The Biden administration decided to proceed with this defence sale to Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, and on September 7 the Department of State informed the US Congress – via the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – of this decision.
Sen. Robert Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated to the Senate on September 13 that the Congress has 30 days from the time of such notice to consider the transaction.
The Biden administration authorised the F-16 fighter aircraft fleet sustainment programme for Pakistan last month, overturning the Trump administration’s decision to stop military assistance to Islamabad for providing safe havens for the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network.
None of the 100 Senators have objected to this planned transaction within the allotted 30 days. With this, the US is prepared to provide Pakistan the USD 450 million F-16 maintenance package. India has questioned the justification for Washington providing Pakistan with F-16 security support worth USD 450 million.
While visiting the US last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the US and Pakistan’s relationship has “not helped” any nation and questioned the Biden administration’s decision to approve a USD 450 million maintenance package for the F-16 aircraft.
According to the Biden administration, Pakistan’s F-16 programme is a crucial component of its deeper relations with Pakistan. The US claimed at many levels, including through Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the White House, that the planned sale will retain Pakistan’s capacity to address present and upcoming terrorist threats by preserving its F-16 fleet.
Additionally, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin received a message from Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh expressing India’s displeasure with Washington’s choice to support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.
During a phone call, Singh informed Austin of India’s reservations over Washington’s intentions to give Pakistan the package.
On September 14, the defence minister said on Twitter, “I conveyed India’s worry at the recent US decision to offer sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.”
The US has stated that it expects Pakistan to take consistent action against all terrorist groups and that the F-16 fleet enables Pakistan to support counterterrorism operations.
Particularly since US President Joe Biden labelled Pakistan as the most dangerous country in the world due to its possession of nuclear weapons and political instability, ties between the US and Pakistan have taken a severe hit.
After the comments, Pakistan summoned the American ambassador in Islamabad to express its displeasure. A Pakistani ambassador in Washington, DC, has also been called in by the State Department.
