Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
India

India Cites "Grave Concern" To US Over Decision To Monitor Pak F-16 Jets

Darpan News Desk IANS, 01 Aug, 2019 07:36 PM

    "We have taken up the matter with the US Ambassador in Delhi, as well as with the US government in Washington through our Ambassador. We have expressed grave concern over US military assistance to Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said during a media briefing.


    India has conveyed its "grave concern" to the US over its decision to provide military assistance to Pakistan.


    External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the issue was taken up with the US Ambassador and with the Trump administration in Washington.


    "We have taken up the matter with the US Ambassador in Delhi, as well as with the US government in Washington through our Ambassador. We have expressed grave concern over US military assistance to Pakistan," Mr Kumar said during a media briefing.


    Sources said the US envoy was called to South Block and a protest was lodged with him over the US decision to help Pakistan militarily.


    Last week, the Pentagon notified the US Congress of its decision to approve military sales worth USD 125 million that would result in the monitoring of the F-16 fighter jets of Pakistan.


    The notification came days after a meeting between President Donald Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in White House.


    "The US side has told us that the proposed sale does not indicate any change in the US policy of maintaining a freeze in military assistance to Pakistan," Mr Kumar said.


    "US has publicly stated that the proposed sale is intended to enable the US to continue technical and logistics support services to assist in the oversight of the operations of F-16 aircraft in Pakistan's inventory," he added.


    Pakistan had used the F-16 fighter jets against India in its retaliation to Balakot strikes in February.


    The Pentagon asserted that the proposed military assistance will not alter the basic military balance in the region.


    Asked about the strain in trade ties between India and US, Mr Kumar said: "we are approaching the matter relating to trade in a very positive and constructive manner".


    A high-level trade delegation from the US visited India last month to find ways to resolve the issues.


    Trade ties between the two sides have come under strain after the US in June announced its decision to end preferential trade status for India. As a retaliatory measure, India also announced raising tariffs on 29 goods imported from the US.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Delhi's Oldest Voter Bachan Singh, 111, Has Not Missed Voting Since 1951

    Lok Sabha Polls 2019: 111-year-old Bachan Singh, the oldest voter in Delhi carried a youthful enthusiasm into the polling station in Tilak Vihar in Delhi.  

    Delhi's Oldest Voter Bachan Singh, 111, Has Not Missed Voting Since 1951

    Priyanka Stops Her Cavalcade To Wish Pro-Modi Supporters

    Priyanka Stops Her Cavalcade To Wish Pro-Modi Supporters
    Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday took BJP supporters by surprise: she shook hands with them as they raised pro-Modi slogans.

    Priyanka Stops Her Cavalcade To Wish Pro-Modi Supporters

    Riteish Deshmukh Hits Back At Piyush Goyal For Attacking His Father

    Honourable Minister, It is true that I had visited the Taj/Oberoi but untrue that I was there while the 'Shooting and Bombing' was happening as you claimed. It is true that I had accompanied my father but untrue that he was trying to get me a role in a film.

    Riteish Deshmukh Hits Back At Piyush Goyal For Attacking His Father

    Sam Pitroda Should Be Ashamed Of His Comments On '84 Riots, Says Rahul Gandhi

    Sam Pitroda's remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots last week is "absolutely wrong and he should apologise to the nation for it"

    Sam Pitroda Should Be Ashamed Of His Comments On '84 Riots, Says Rahul Gandhi

    Will Fight For Justice Of 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims: Modi

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he would fight for justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims and blamed the previous Congress governments in the Centre for not delivering justice in 35 long years.

    Will Fight For Justice Of 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims: Modi

    Dharmendra Says He Would Not Have Let Son Sunny Deol Contest Polls Had He Known Sunil Jakhar Is In The Fray

    "Balram Jakhar was like my brother. Had I known his son Sunil Jakhar was contesting from Gurdaspur, I would have not allowed Sunny (to contest against him)," the 83-year-old told.

    Dharmendra Says He Would Not Have Let Son Sunny Deol Contest Polls Had He Known Sunil Jakhar Is In The Fray