F-35 fighter jet deal with India, Rs 33949673350 funding for F-16 to Pakistan…, What is Trump’s ‘great-game’ between New Delhi and Islamabad?
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) explained that the maintenance program for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet would assist the country in its fight against terrorism.
US President Donald Trump has any other time taken aback the enviornment by overturning some of his outdated insurance policies. His contemporary choices be pleased caught both The USA’s allies and rivals off guard. In a surprising slide, Trump has made two contrasting affords in Asia—he prolonged an supply to sell the complete F-35 fighter jets to India, whereas additionally approving funds to succor Pakistan defend its F-16 quick. However, the allocated budget may no longer be handed on to Pakistan.
Trump has well-liked a budget of USD 397 million to defend Pakistan’s quick of F-16 fighter jets. Reviews counsel that the repairs funds will be historical for anti-terrorism operations and surveillance of riot teams. Pakistan, on the opposite hand, is illegal from the usage of these fighter jets in opposition to India, as laid out in the agreement with the US.
Trump freezes all foreign help
After assuming bother of labor in January 2025, Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on all kinds of foreign help, in conjunction with humanitarian help, as a part of his “The USA First” agenda. However, by the tip of the month, he made exceptions for key US allies in the Center East, namely Egypt and Israel, allowing them to receive defense power help. Despite this, definite clauses in Trump’s directive raised concerns amongst defense consultants.
Did Trump elevate ban on defense power help to Pakistan?
What makes Trump’s resolution to initiating funds for Pakistan’s F-16 jets surprising is his outdated stance. Back in January 2018, Trump had halted all defense and security help to Pakistan, accusing the nation of failing to behave in opposition to terrorist teams. He argued that Islamabad modified into once no longer an right partner in The USA’s battle in opposition to terrorism.
On the time, Trump brazenly criticized Pakistan, saying, “One day of the last 15 years, the US has foolishly given Pakistan over USD 33 billion in help, and so they've given us nothing however lies and deceit.”
He accused Pakistan of offering win havens to terrorists that the US modified into once looking out in Afghanistan, declaring, “No extra!”
Later, the Biden administration well-liked a $450 million deal to sell repairs and affords a enhance to equipment for Pakistan’s F-16 jets. Now, with Trump any other time backing funds for Pakistan’s F-16 program, it marks a surprising shift in his foreign policy means.
Why did US initiating funds for Pakistan’s F-16 program?
The Protection Security Cooperation Company (DSCA) defined that the repairs program for Pakistan’s F-16 quick would succor the nation in its battle in opposition to terrorism, whereas additionally guaranteeing that the soundness in the role wouldn't be disrupted. On the moment, India had raised serious objections to the US opinion for foreign defense power sales (FMS) to Pakistan. However, US officers tried to ease India’s concerns by arguing that this modified into once a sale, no longer a straight away help bundle from the US executive.
Pakistan’s employ of F-16 in opposition to India
Beforehand, after India’s airstrikes on terrorist bases in Balakot, Pakistan reportedly historical F-16 fighter jets in 2019 in opposition to India. This slide sparked main controversy, as an Indian MiG-21 modified into once shot down for the length of the detect. India claimed to be pleased shot down a Pakistani F-16, however Pakistan denied the allegation. Despite Pakistan’s denials, it later confronted solid criticism from the US for misusing the F-16 aircraft in an operation in opposition to India.
Trump equipped India F-35
An challenging construction came when US President Donald Trump equipped India the developed F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter jet. This supply modified into grand, in particular since India operates the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defense system. The US had previously taken a laborious stance in opposition to NATO member Turkey when it procured the S-400 system, even looking out down Turkey from the F-35 program.
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