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US-Pakistan F-16 Deal: Indian EAM Jaishankar Throws a Tantrum
“You’re not fooling anybody by saying these things," said Indian External Affairs Minister Subramanian Jaishankar to his American hosts in Washington. He was lashing out at the United States for the State Department's explanation for the $450 million F-16 "sustainment" package sale to Pakistan. Earlier, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in an announcement:
“This proposed sale ($450 million F-16 package) will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations.” The US State Department spokesman Ned Price talked about "shared values" and "shared interests" of his country with both India and Pakistan. He also recommended that "these two neighbors have relations with one another that are as constructive as can be possible".
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| US Secretary of State Tony Blinken (L), Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar |
Responding to Jaishankar's outburst, the US State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “We don’t view our relationship with Pakistan, and … our relationship with India as in relation to one another. These are both partners of ours with different points of emphasis in each. We look at both as partners, because we do have in many cases shared values. We do have in many cases shared interests. And the relationship we have with India stands on its own. The relationship we have with Pakistan stands on its own. We also want to do everything we can to see to it that these neighbors have relations with one another that are as constructive as can be possible. And so that’s another point of emphasis.”
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| President Joe Biden & First Lady Jill with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the UN HQ |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently attended a summit meeting of the China-Russia sponsored Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. India is a full member of this alliance which has been created to counter the US dominance in Asia. At the same time, New Delhi has also joined QUAD, a group of 4 nations (Australia, India, Japan and US) formed by the United States to counter China's rise. Simultaneous membership of these two competing alliances is raising serious questions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's real intentions and trustworthiness. It appears that there is an Indian policy shift from "non-alignment" to "all-alignment".
Writing an Op Ed for The Indian Express about Jaishankar's fit of anger, Indian journalist Nirupama Subramanian put it in the following words: “As Delhi demonstrates “strategic autonomy” to engage with every side — Quad one week, and Russia and China the next at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand — and work around Western sanctions to buy oil from Russia, and keep friends in all camps, it may have to come to terms that others in world play the same game.”
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| US Visa Appointment Wait Time. Source: US State Department |
Jaishankar also raised the issue of long appointment wait times for Indians seeking visas to come to the United States. "In India, there are families unable to meet; students waiting for a long time. So it is a serious problem. But, I'm confident that, with the sincerity Secretary Blinken showed, they would address this, and with any support that we can provide, we hope things will improve," he said. Secretary Anthony Blinken said in response, "We had constraints from COVID about the number of people we could have in our embassies at any one time etc. We are now building back very determined really from that surging resources. We have a plan when it comes to India to address the backlog of visas that have built up. I think you'll see that play out in the coming months."
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| US Visa Appointment Wait Time. Source: US State Department |
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Riaz Haq
Trump Administration Notifies $686 Million F-16 Upgrade For Pakistan
https://ommcomnews.com/world-news/trump-administration-notifies-686...
Washington: The Trump administration has notified Congress of a proposed $686 million sale to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter aircraft, a move expected to draw scrutiny from lawmakers and close attention in India as the package enters a mandatory 30-day review period.
In letters to key committee leaders, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the US Air Force intends to issue a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to Pakistan for “defense articles and services estimated to cost $686 million.”
The notifications were sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast.
The proposed package includes $37 million in Major Defense Equipment and $649 million in additional hardware, software, and logistical support.
The MDE list consists of 92 Link-16 tactical data link systems, a jam-resistant digital network used by US and allied militaries to share real-time battlefield information, and six Mk-82 inert 500-pound bomb bodies, which are unguided, low-drag training weapons used strictly for integration and release testing.
A wide range of non-MDE items round out the deal, including avionics updates, Operational Flight Program modifications, secure communications systems, Identification Friend or Foe equipment, cryptographic appliques, mission-planning systems, test equipment, spare parts, training devices, simulators, publications, and contractor engineering and logistics support, according to the notification.
In its policy justification, the administration said the upgrades would help Pakistan modernize its Block-52 and Mid-Life Upgrade F-16 fleet and ensure compatibility with US and partner forces.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts,” the notice said.
It added that refurbishment “will extend the aircraft life through 2040 while addressing critical flight safety concerns.”
The notification also stressed that the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” language aimed at addressing long-standing Indian concerns about US defence support to Pakistan.
Lockheed Martin of Fort Worth, Texas, is designated as the principal contractor. The US government said it does not expect to send additional personnel to Pakistan for implementation and does not foresee any impact on US defence readiness.
Congress now has 30 days to review the proposed sale. While arms transfers to Pakistan have frequently drawn bipartisan scrutiny, similar notifications in recent years have advanced without formal resolutions of disapproval.
Dec 9, 2025
Riaz Haq
Dec 9, 2025
Riaz Haq
@Tactical_Tipu
Gentlemen! Viper modified F-16 V-MLU are coming home!
PAF is going to field largest AESA modified fighters fleet in region to become the strongest air force in town
https://x.com/tactical_tipu/status/2080375515672932496?s=61&t=m...
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@ForeignOfficePk
Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson @TahirAndrabi
On Pak’s F-16 Upgradation
https://x.com/foreignofficepk/status/2080267707312955734?s=61&t...
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Pakistan is executing a major, multi-faceted upgrade and sustainment program for its F-16 fleet, primarily to extend its service life to 2040 and enhance tactical communications. Key elements of the upgrade include: [1, 2, 3]
$686 Million Technology Package: Approved by the US, this includes 92 Link-16 tactical data link systems, advanced Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, avionics updates, and cryptographic gear. Lockheed Martin acts as the principal contractor. [1, 2, 3]
$488 Million Radar Sustainment: The US awarded Northrop Grumman a contract for long-term technical and engineering support for the F-16's APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems. [1, 2]
These upgrades aim to maintain fleet safety, improve targeting precision, and preserve interoperability with allied forces. You can track international defense acquisitions and official US government actions regarding these Foreign Military Sales (FMS) via the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency. [1, 2, 3]
Jul 23