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Sensitive US tech to Pak could end up in third country: Rajnath warns Hegseth

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sharp concerns to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over an approved $649 million sustenance initiative for Pakistan's F-16 fleet. The contested deal encompasses advanced cryptographic units, avionics upgrades, flight simulators, and logistics assistance from Lockheed Martin. Hegseth reiterated American solidarity with India regarding cross-border terrorism, and both sides reviewed their decade-long defence framework to deepen future cooperation.

Key points

  • New Delhi warned that advanced American defence components supplied to Pakistan could be…: New Delhi warned that advanced American defence components supplied to Pakistan could be illicitly diverted to a third country.
  • Washington affirmed its full solidarity with India while both nations pledged an uncompro…: Washington affirmed its full solidarity with India while both nations pledged an uncompromising approach against state-sponsored terrorism.
  • Both defence leaders agreed to advance their 10-year Defence Framework by boosting mariti…: Both defence leaders agreed to advance their 10-year Defence Framework by boosting maritime security and integrating robust supply chains.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

NEW DELHI: Defence minister

Rajnath Singh Wednesday conveyed India’s concern to US secretary of war Pete Hegseth over Washington providing an F-16 fighter jet sustenance package and advanced military technologies to Pakistan, while cautioning against double standards on terrorism.

Rajnath, while reviewing the progress of Indo-US defence partnership with Hegseth, told him that “India is strictly opposed to the US providing advanced fighter jet support package related to the F-16 programme to Pakistan”, sources told TOI about the talks held on the sidelines of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in the Philippine city of Cebu.

Probably hinting at China and Iran, the defence minister also told Hegseth that “US providing sensitive technologies to Pakistan could end up in a third country”, the sources said.

The US’s $649 million F-16 support and upgrade package for Pakistan involved avionics enhancements, cryptographic modules (including AN/APX-126 IFF systems), mission-planning tools, spare parts, simulators, training, and contractor logistics support from Lockheed Martin. With Pakistan harbouring terrorists, Rajnath also categorically told the US secretary of war that America should be wary of “double standards on terrorism”.

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