A hashtag is running #USABetrayedIndia after the USA sends F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan to reverse the Trump-era suspension of security assistance.
The Biden administration has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment and related equipment to Pakistan in a deal valued at US$ 450 million. This decision comes after former President Donald Trump stopped all defense and security assistance to Pakistan.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on September 7 of the State Department’s decision to approve the possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan of F-16 Case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of US$450 million.
The proposed sale does not include any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions and will not alter the military balance in the region.
According to the State Department, the proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the US by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and preparation for future contingency operations.
This is the first major security assistance to Pakistan after the Trump administration suspended most security assistance to Pakistan in January 2018, alleging that Islamabad was not a partner in America’s fight against terrorism.
Indians React
The view is that the US decision on F-16 to Pakistan is an “extraordinary failure of political judgment”. According to an article in the Economic Times, “the F-16 package should be seen as a geopolitical reward to the Pakistani army, and not as a force multiplier in its counter-terrorism campaign. AP The US President Joe Biden rightly described Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous nations” in the world in possession of “nuclear weapons without any cohesion.” It is another matter that diplomatic protest from Pakistan forced US State Department to contradict Biden when it dubiously clarified that Washington is “confident of Pakistan’s commitment and its ability to secure its nuclear assets”.
This episode comes shortly after his administration decided to approve a US $ 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment program to Pakistan. The explanation offered by the US is that the decision would help the Pakistan army to boost its counterterrorism capabilities against al-Qaeda and ISIS. But this is an extremely ridiculous and inept excuse for a geopolitical miscalculation that has nothing to do with counterterrorism.’
Here are some netizens exploding:
“The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit,” former US President Trump said in his first tweet of 2018. “They give safe havens to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan…No more!”
Aditya Nayak ” #USABetrayedIndia. I am not at all surprised by USA sending F16 fighter jets to Pakistan.USA has never been a trustworthy country. Recently there is Rajiv Malhotra’s book which talks about how Harvard University is contaminating Bharat through AFRO DALIT and Critical race theory.”
#USABetrayedIndia
I am not at all surprised by USA sending F16 fighter jets to Pakistan.USA has never been a trustworthy country.Recently there is Rajiv Malhotra's book which talks about how Harvard University is contaminating Bharat through AFRO DALIT and Critical race theory. pic.twitter.com/UKDevZxUSD— Aditya Nayak (@adityavnayak) November 1, 2022
ipshita 💫@chilli_shekkh “It’s great to see the United States supplying the F-16 to its most reckless and dangerous nuclear ally.
#USABetrayedIndia”
It's great to see the United States supplying the F-16 to its most reckless and dangerous nuclear ally.#USABetrayedIndia pic.twitter.com/Vqj3NmGF0H
— ipshita 💫 (@chilli_shekkh) November 1, 2022
Meghali “This is really bad.I am against of them.USA is now helping Pakistan.we all india should boycott this #USABetrayedIndia”
One Indian citizen said, “Why did the USA give weapons to Pakistan when they did Osama Bin Laden? Do they want another war?”
Earlier, the Obama administration had also frozen $800 million in aid in 2011 and $300 million in 2016 to Pakistan for similar reasons – the refusal of Pakistani Military Generals to crack down on terrorists.
Due to these repeated suspensions, Islamabad gradually began reducing its dependence on US military technology and turned to China to meet its defense requirements. Perhaps, USA is doing this to reduce Pakistan’s dependency on China?
In the meantime in Pakistan, the streets of Pakistan are filled with Imran Khan supporters, as the former PM marches toward Islamabad. THE MARCH IS GATHERING STEAM. Take a look: A great popular wave is rising for Imran Khan.
The streets of Pakistan are filled with Imran Khan supporters, as the former PM marches toward Islamabad. THE MARCH IS GATHERING STEAM. Take a look:pic.twitter.com/GSQMeq4D40
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) November 1, 2022