When Asked About Providing F-16 Support To Pakistan, The US Claims That Relations With India And Pakistan Are Separate
When questioned about remarks made by S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, criticizing a recently announced $450 million in U.S. aid to Pakistan for sustainment and related equipment for its F-16 fighter jets, the U.S. responded that its relations with India and Pakistan are not related to one another.
Ned Price, the spokesperson for the State Department, indicated that they do not regard their relationship with Pakistan and, on the other hand, they do not view their relationship with India as being related to one another, during the department’s press conference on September 26.
With differing priorities in each, India and Pakistan are both their partners. They view both of them as partners because they frequently share interests and ideals. The U.S. also does everything it can to see that the India-Pakistan relationship is as constructive as possible, Mr. Price said.
Mr. Jaishankar had remarked regarding the F-16 assistance package being provided to Pakistan ostensibly for counterterrorism reasons, “You’re not deceiving anybody by stating these things,” The Minister had previously stated that the relationship between the United States and Pakistan served neither Pakistan nor the United States when he made his remarks on September 25 at a diaspora event in Washington, DC. At various levels, India has repeatedly voiced its disapproval of the U.S. assistance plan for the F-16s.
Additionally, on September 26, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of Pakistan met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their bilateral discussions were centered on the 75-year history of US-Pakistan relations and US aid to Pakistan for flood relief and rehabilitation. However, according to Mr. Blinken, India was also brought up.
Mr. Blinken stated in statements made following their meeting that he and Mr. Bhutto Zardari discussed the significance of managing a responsible relationship with India. The remarks made by the Pakistani Foreign Minister made no mention of this. According to Mr. Blinken, in order for Pakistan to recover from the floods more rapidly, he had also requested that Pakistan engage China on some of the crucial problems of debt relief and restructuring.
According to Mr. Blinken, they also talked about their convictions for democracy and defending the freedom of religion and belief.
The Secretary pledged that the two nations would collaborate to support Afghans’ human rights, particularly those of women and girls.
Mr. Blinken hosted a working dinner for Mr. Jaishankar on September 26 evening and the two Ministers are expected to undertake bilateral meetings.
News Mania Desk
