Pakistan expresses concern on US' sale of advanced military to India

Taking note of US-India joint statement issued from the White House, Pakistan foreign ministry in a statement said such sales are not helpful to enduring peace and strategic stability of South Asia region.

“Such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia,” it said.

The statement said this deal would further encourage India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism.

“Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivized India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restraint regime and durable security architecture in the region,” it said.

Meanwhile, the US aircraft maker Lockheed Martin and the Indian defense firm Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed an agreement affirming the companies’ intent to set up a joint production facility for F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in India.

The Trump administration has also authorised the sale of unarmed surveillance drones to India, the manufacturer of the drones. India initiated its request to buy 22 Guardian MQ-9B unmanned aircraft for maritime surveillance last year.

The deal is estimated to be worth about $ 2 billion. The offer is still subject to congressional approval.

Former US President Barack Obama in his visit to India had also renewed a nuclear deal with New Delhi allowing American companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology.

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