US package for Pakistan’s F16 fleet irks India

• A $450 million US aid package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet has irked India.
• The Indian Defense Minister briefed US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about India’s concerns.
• Rajnath Singh tweeted about his interaction with his American counterpart.

India has lodged a protest with the US over the finalization of the agreement to provide $450 million. Support package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

On September 14, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over the phone and informed the US official of his country’s concerns.

“I conveyed India’s concern over the recent US decision to provide an aid package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet,” Singh said on Twitter.

“Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of Defense, Mr. Lloyd Austin. We discussed increasing convergence of strategic interests and enhancing defense and security cooperation.

“We also discussed ways to strengthen technical and industrial cooperation and explore collaboration in emerging and critical technologies,” he said.

Last week, the Indian authorities raised Same concerns Talking to US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lowe.

Secretary Austin congratulated Singh on the commissioning of INS Vikrant and emphasized the importance of the opportunity to India’s position as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific, according to a readout released by the US Department of Defense. in accordance.

“In light of the changing regional security environment, the two defense leaders pledged to expand information sharing and logistical cooperation as the US and Indian militaries work and coordinate more closely together.”

“They reviewed multilateral India-US defense cooperation and reiterated mutual commitment to further strengthen military-to-military ties.”