The US sanctioned the sale of maintenance and other related equipment ofF-16 fighter jets to Pakistan earlier this month. Since then, India hasopenly been expressing concerns over the deal.
However, the US Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific SecurityAffairs, Ely Ratner, has clarified that the $450 million deal is not amessage to India over its growing ties with Russia.
Speaking in this regard, the official said that the US decision is solelybased upon its interests and bilateral cooperation with Pakistan whichrevolves around counter-terrorism and nuclear security.
The US has been engaged with India regarding the matter well before thedeal was announced, added Ratner. The issue also came under discussionduring Ely Ratner’s visit to India two weeks ago.
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It is worth mentioning here that earlier this year in July, the US hadfinally lifted the defense restrictions on India, paving the way for it toproceed with defense cooperation with Russia.
Following the end of the ban, India struck a deal with Russia for theacquisition of the S-400 missile defense system. This particular deal wasstopped by the former US President, Donald Trump.
