The “merits” of the US-Pakistan relationship have come under scrutiny, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who also asserted that Washington’s interactions with Islamabad have not been in the “American interest.”
At an event hosted by the Indian American community in Washington on Sunday, Jaishankar said, “It’s a partnership that hasn’t ended up serving Pakistan well or the American interests.”
The comments were made when the audience questioned the Indian minister over US activities regarding F-16 fighter fighters with Pakistan. Recently, the US State Department granted a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Pakistan for the first time since 2018 at a cost of USD 450 million in order to sustain the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 aircraft and equipment.
Rajnath Singh, the Indian defence minister, immediately expressed India’s worries to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Washington’s choice to support Pakistan’s F-16 force.
Jaishankar argued that the United States should currently consider the benefits of this partnership and what they get from it.
“If someone claims they are acting in this way because it pertains to counterterrorism, it is obvious that they are talking about an F-16 capability, which is well-known for both its deployment and usage. You’re not fooling anyone with these statements “Noted Jaishankar.
Read more: Loyalist MLAs resign amid tussle over Gehlot’s likely successor
