The Joe Biden-led US authorities has permitted a USD 450 million F-sixteen fighter jet fleet sustainment software to Pakistan, reversing a Trump-generation order which suspended safety useful resource to Islamabad. However, a pinnacle US diplomat instructed India Today that it become only a sale of spare components for the prevailing F-sixteen fleet with Paksitan and now no longer useful resource from the United States authorities.
Donald Lu, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia and Central Asian Affairs, instructed India Today it’s miles the global coverage of the United States authorities to help the defence system supplied through them to a rustic for the lifecycle of that specific machine.
“In this case, it method spare components and protection,” Donald Lu stated.
“It is a sale, now no longer assistance. And we’re presenting to offer servicing of wings and system in order that those airplanes can meet the air protection standard,” he added.
Donald Lu stated below the software, no new functionality and guns machine is being supplied to Pakistan.
“We heard numerous issues from the Indian authorities. Let me say this very clearly, that is a protection and protection software. There isn’t anyt any new plane being considered, no new functionality and no new guns machine,” Donald Lu instructed India Today.
Donald Lu stated that the fleet of F-sixteen fighter plane with Pakistan includes very vintage plane. “Some of those plane are greater than forty years vintage and with out such assistance, they can be a hazard to the pilots and different people,” he stated.
In 2018, then US President Donald Trump suspended approximately USD 2 billion in safety useful resource to Pakistan for failing to suppress terror companies consisting of the Taliban and the Haqqani Network and dismantle their secure havens withinside the u . s . a ..
CHINESE PRESENCE AT LAC
On the persevering with standoff among Indian and Chinese forces alongside the Line of Actual Control, Donald Lu stated, “Our role has usually been to help communicate among India and China to solve the modern situation. Unfortunately, we aren’t seeing any honest attempt through Beijing to solve this dispute.”
“What we see is the opposite. We see an attempt to construct army forces to try and intimidate India. Not that India might be intimidated. But China is genuinely flexing its muscles. India can anticipate all its partners, which includes the United States, to face resolutely with India because it faces this horrible hazard,” he added.
ON INDIA’S POSITION ON UKRAINE WAR
Speaking on India’s impartial stand on the continuing battle among Russia and Ukraine, Donald Lu stated aleven though India and the United States “do not precisely see eye to eye sometimes” at the Ukraine crisis, however each nations percentage a essential perception that the battle wishes to quit soon.
“We have welcomed India’s contributions in Ukraine. We liked if you have condemned human rights violations, which includes violations in Bucha. We assume India has a position to play on this Ukraine crisis,” Donald Lu stated.
On India’s buy of Russian oil, Donald Lu stated, “With appreciate to oil, it’s miles a large issue. Prices are growing internationally and it’s miles difficult on families.”
“We have attempted to speak to partners, which includes India, on a way to lessen long-time period dependency on Russia, even though India does now no longer have the sort of dependency. It is a current phenomenon of purchasing oil,” he added.
ON KILLING OF AL-QAEDA CHIEF IN KABUL
Speaking approximately al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, who become killed in a US drone strike in Kabul, Donald Lu stated, “Sheltering and harbouring terrorists consisting of Ayman al-Zawahiri is simply evidence to the sector that the Taliban has grossly violated its commitments below the Doha agreement.”
“In addition to that, we are able to see that the Taliban is undermining its very own said desires which have been to are looking for worldwide recognition, to get financing for the rebuilding of Afghanistan and to get the legitimacy that it craves. How can it do this if it’s miles harbouring terrorists?” he added.
On Pakistan, Donald Lu stated the u . s . a . additionally sees the hazard coming from Afghanistan. “Pakistan has released airstrikes to head after TTP. It has additionally misplaced lives. So it’s miles a complicated dating among Pakistan and the Taliban,” he stated.
