New Delhi: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday, September 14 conveyed to US defence secretary Lloyd Austin India’s concerns over Washington’s decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet.
Singh apprised Austin about India’s concerns on the issue during a telephonic conversation.
“I conveyed India’s concern at the recent US decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet,” the defence minister said on Twitter.
I conveyed India’s concern at the recent US decision to provide sustenance package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.
Look forward to continuing dialogue with Seceratry Austin to further consolidating India-US partnership. 3/3
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 14, 2022
Also read: What Does US Aid to Upgrade Pakistan’s F-16S Mean for India?
The US has planned to provide foreign military sales (FMS) worth $450 million for hardware, software and spares for the F-16 fighter fleet of Pakistan.
“Had a warm and productive telephonic conversation with the US Secretary of Defence, Mr. Lloyd Austin. We discussed growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defence & security cooperation,” Singh said.
“We also discussed ways to strengthen technological and industrial collaboration and also explore cooperation in emerging and critical technologies,” he said.
Singh said he was looking forward to continuing dialogue with secretary Austin to further consolidating the India-US partnership.
(PTI)