Pakistan disappointed at Indian reaction over US F-16 sale

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Pakistan disappointed at Indian reaction over US F-16 sale

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed its surprise and disappointment over Indian reaction to the US decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.

"We are surprised and disappointed at the Indian Government's reaction,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

The spokesman pointed out that India’s army and arsenal stock was much larger and they are the largest importer of defence equipment.

“As regards F-16 sale, Pakistan and the United States closely cooperate in countering terrorism,” he said.

The spokesman went on to say that the US spokesperson had clearly announced that the sale was to enhance precision strike capability.

India had summoned the US ambassador to New Delhi on Saturday to convey its ‘displeasure’ over the deal with Pakistan.

The US government had said a day earlier that it approved the sale to Pakistan of up to eight F-16 fighter jets built by Lockheed Martin Corp, radar and other equipment in a deal valued at $699 million.

The Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees foreign arms sales, said it had notified lawmakers about the possible deal.

The agency said the F-16s would allow Pakistan's Air Force to operate in all-weather environments and at night, while improving its self-defense capability and bolstering its ability to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

India said it was disappointed with the US decision. "We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help to combat terrorism," Vikas Swarup, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter.

The India media reported that Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey India’s “displeasure”.