During official meetings with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu in Delhi last week, India raised “strong objections” to the U.S. plan for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) worth $450 million for hardware, software, and spares for the F-16 fighter jet programme with Pakistan.
The Hindu has learned that officials protested the decision at “each and every” bilateral meeting Mr. Lu and his delegation had during their visit for the Quad Senior Officials Meeting (SOM).
In particular, the Indian side cited concerns about the technology and support being made available to Pakistan for the F-16s, which Pakistan claims are needed for “counter-terrorism operations”, and the government conveyed that it believes they are used for operations against India.
