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WASHINGTON: A US military commander, who oversees military ties between the United States and India, hopes that New Delhi will ultimately understand why the Obama administration is selling eight F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.
“I hope that we can work through this sale, and their perception of it, to continue to improve our relationship with India,” said Admiral Harry Harris, who is going to India on Monday to participate in a dialogue in New Delhi.
The F-16 deal echoed again on Capitol Hill on Wednesday when Admiral Harris appeared before the House Armed Services Committee for a hearing on Asia Pacific region Security. The admiral heads the US Pacific Command which oversees US military ties with India as well.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Indian woman elected to the US House of Representatives, raised this issue at the hearing, saying that she had “serious concerns” about the proposed sale.
She said that the sale was not justified, “given the fact that Pakistan has long harboured and given safe haven to various terrorist groups that continue to launch destabilising attacks within India, as well as Afghanistan.”
The lawmaker also referred to a Pakistani court’s decision to release Hafiz Saeed, who she said was one of the masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that also killed six US citizens.
She said she had “a number of other concerns” on this issue but would focus on one particular point: “What impact could this sale of F-16s have on our relationship with India?”
Admiral Harris said that he too was aware of the impact the proposed sale could have on US-India relations.
“I view India as our great strategic opportunity … and we need to do as much as we can with India in a military-to-military sense, and in every other sense.”
“With regard to the sale of F-16s to Pakistan, while I don’t have a professional opinion on that sale itself, certainly it will affect some aspect of our relationship with India,” he added.
Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2016
Read more
US lawmaker assails proposed sale of F-16s to Pakistan
India should not be concerned over F-16 sale to Pakistan, says Pentagon
PPP's ex-envoy to US, Indian lobbies working against F-16 deal: defence minister
Pakistan 'surprised' over Indian reaction to US F-16 sale
'Disappointed' India summons US ambassador over sale of F-16s to Pakistan
F-16 aircraft can be manufactured in India, says Lockheed Martin
On DawnNews
Comments (71) Closed
Feb 26, 2016 08:22am
Thanks US for understanding India's concerns.
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Feb 26, 2016 08:58am
Tulsi Gabbard is an American Soman from Hawaii. She is a hindu convert and is not from India.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:08am
Ms Tulsi Gabbard is not of Indian origin but aboriginal from Hawaii,although she has adopted Hinduism.First Indo-American US Congressman was Mr Dilip Singh Saud (1957-1963)from California,at present also another Indo-American Mr Ami Bera is US Congressman from California.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:13am
This shows how Indian's so vigorously opposing Pakistan in term of getting any sort of arm from the US and West. This shows Indian intentions and grudge.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:18am
Well, looks like President Obama has to swallow a F-16 if this sale has to materialize.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:29am
So much noise on measly 8 F-16s and 120 Rafale they are getting from France? we should stop eating and get the Su-35 and Su-37 to know how much exactly this is hurting india - 8 measly F-16s and everyone in the US is in answer and explain mode. What a joke! and how about the congresswoman, the way she spews poison about Pakistan I find it quite something that her deep Indian roots are not deemed to get in the way of her acting for American interests - how does US get such bad eggs in their legal and ruling system is beyond me really ! there is nothing American about her statement, she is only worried for her old country india oh...how 8 F-16s would scare every living being in india now that Pakistan will ADD 8 more F-16s. Please!
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Feb 26, 2016 09:30am
Republican senator Rand Paul, who was a candidate for the party’s presidential nomination until recently, has introduced a joint resolution in senate opposing the sale of F-16s to Pakistan.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:49am
Correction, Tulsi Gabbard is not an Indian woman. She may be Hindu but that does not change her ancestry or citizenship.
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Feb 26, 2016 10:06am
So there are lot of complaints about this deal in USA. Pakistan eagerly wants those warplanes. But India is throwing her weight fully against this deal. USA don't want to disappoint India but want to preserve its interest in Pakistan & Afghanistan. This is a great game of diplomacy. very interesting!! Let's see who wins!!
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Feb 26, 2016 10:19am
Already 75 -F16 in Pak inventory 8 more will not make or break Pakistan strong Air-force. Question here is can USA afford to lose Pakistan friendship. Knowing Pakistan strategic location most important for US influence in south East Asia?
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Feb 26, 2016 11:59am
Pakistan should not care what the neighbor thinks. I am neither "disappointed" nor"surprised" at India's reaction. indians always try to back stab Pakistan. You should've been anticipatory of such behavior.
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Feb 26, 2016 01:13pm
If this meager sale gets blocked, the little influence and good-will the US has is gone.
Strategically, with an angry-american congress, it is best for Pakistan longterm NOT to purchase US weapons and work with the Chineeses and Scandanavians.
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Feb 26, 2016 01:25pm
The F-16s themselves don't make much of a difference. The main point is the stamp of approval Pakistan will gain in the international community by receiving military equipment from the USA. This is what the Indians are trying to prevent. Now if the USA does go ahead, it will be the strongest diplomatic slap across any country's face I've seen in a long time!
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Feb 26, 2016 01:37pm
Why on earth are we surprised by Indian behavior? Its in their blood. They can't get over +1000 years of Muslim rule plus partition of India in 1947. As for American sales of these weapons, it will happen. With Chinese interest increasing in Pakistan both economically and militarily, they are too smart to say no.
But the irony is our stupid and selfish leadership i.e. Nawaz and his cronies who will run to Modi whenever a chance comes along.
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Feb 26, 2016 01:44pm
Yet another example of Indians backstabbing Pakistan. Indians DO NOT want to see a secure and prosperous Pakistan. They want Pakistan to be isolated and eventually broken up. This HAS been and WILL be their intention and policy until they succeed. To ignore this fact will be living in fool's paradise.
Majority of Pakistanis realize this fact except PM Nawaz Sharif who for his own family business wants to host Modi for birthday parties and also the aman ki asha brigade.
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Feb 26, 2016 01:47pm
I don't think so 8 F16 would make much if a difference to Pakistan but if US backs out of this deal, it will definitely give a strong message to Pakistan leadership in general. I wouldn't be surprised if Pakistan goes out and purchase some from Russia or China as they won't budge under pressure from India. US will lose further trust in Pakistan army leadership and if they believe US can bypass Pakistan and get desired results in Afghanistan. be our guests.
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Feb 26, 2016 02:08pm
Obama in particular but Americans in general want to see peace in Afghanistan after years of fighting without any result to show for. They know that they need Pakistan's help to pacify Afghanistan so they are willing to help Pakistan in this regard hence the sale of 8 F-16's.
India on the other hand has no burning desire to see peace in Afghanistan and certainly not when Pakistan is the major player to kickstart the process. They and their supporters i.e.Afghan intel will do everything to disrupt any moves where Pakistan is seen as helping out to bring much needed peace in Afghanistan.
Are Americans aware of the true Indian intentions? Yes. Can they do something about it? Yes. Will they do something about it? No. Sale of arms to India and big arms manufacturers in the US may eventually win this out as well but the end result will be disastrous for the region.
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Feb 26, 2016 02:46pm
@Azhar_Khan That's even better isn't it ?
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Feb 26, 2016 02:47pm
@Tariq That's diplomacy dude, try it if you can.
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Feb 26, 2016 02:55pm
Putin should be invited to Visit Pakistan ASAP.
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Feb 26, 2016 02:56pm
@Tariq India will make every effort to protects it sovereign integrity.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:16pm
Russia is the major arms supplier for India and Russia has a historical ties with India. If there is any country which India can trust blindly then it is Russia and same is the case with Russia towards India. Russians and Israeli tourists have set up their communities in many parts of India, specially Goa. After serving two years in army the Israeli youths favourite tourist destination is India, specially Manali and Goa.
You must check on YouTube when Mrs. Indira Gandhi visited Russia, the kind of a reception she received from then USSR people and officials were amazing. It was not the Indian community but the Russian people were lined up from the airport to the Hotel. Even Modi didn't get that much in any country.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:31pm
It is like a game, any other game. One side has made a goal and the field refree has allowed it. The other side is trying to claim some kind of fowl even she knows it is not. Spectators in the field and watching on media outlets everywhere are split while they understand well that their is no fowl. It is typical team following and emotional attachment. So the review upstairs goes on. Let us see what comes through. Until then enjoy the game.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:36pm
@Tariq And what is Pakistani leadership doing with regards to that, to counter the Indian threat.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:43pm
@Rabia This is always the case with India.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:43pm
@Faraz .... .... Everyone? A few people in the rural USA have never even heard of Pakistan. Some others think Pakistan is in the Middle East.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:43pm
Where is Pakistan's lobbying skills?
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Feb 26, 2016 03:49pm
@Waseem Sarwar ... ... It is not as important what the Pakistani public thinks as what the Pakistan Air Force thinks about this deal. Pakistan will get the F-16s.
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Feb 26, 2016 03:57pm
@Romm ... .... Perfect. That would cost Pakistan's military a source of funding Russia would replace. A good deal for Pakistan, Russia and the United States.
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Feb 26, 2016 04:34pm
The enemy will never change its attitude towards Pakistan, we Pakistani should do the same to the enemy as they do to us with every chance we get.
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Feb 26, 2016 04:37pm
sale of F-16s is in US interest. I m sure before making the decision all pros and cons must have been looked after well. So indians there is no need to waste time. Shake hands with Pakistan, we will not ask for F-16s
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Feb 26, 2016 04:47pm
There is no problem in the US selling F-16 to Pak. F-16 are produced by a private company and the only thing it needs to sell its planes is a clearance certificate from Obama which, of course, it already has. The problem is paying for the planes. Pak has no money. The company cannot afford to sell these planes to Pak 'free'. So it is a question of paying for the planes. The US State Department has devised a loan plan. It is the loan plan that requires the US Congress approval and Not the SALE of planes. Indian lobby is against the US Govt. supplying weapons & planes to Pak on loan plans when Pak is unlikely to have the money to repay the loans. If India REALLY wants to block this loan plan in the Congress, she CAN because her US lobby will be supported by the US Israel lobby that is very strong.
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Feb 26, 2016 05:00pm
According to SPIRI, India is the largest amrs importer in the world. What makes us wonder is that India the largest importer of weapons is criticizing Pakistan for F-16 purchase. India has not even moral grounds to raise such point.
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Feb 26, 2016 05:04pm
Indian or not Indian, Tulsi Gabbard sounded like speaking on behalf of India. She was full of venom for Pakistan which deprived her of comprehending the basic fact that the sale of F16s also serves the US interests. The Indian factor notwithstanding, it can strengthen Pakistan's ability to wipe out terrorists from the region and bring peace to Afghanistan. It's much ado about nothing, the F16s deal will go ahead despite India's hue and cry.
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Feb 26, 2016 05:42pm
India is welcome to have the treacherous US as it ally. Though they will find although they have dreams of a partnership of equals, the US sees india as a subordinate, and will always treat it as such. The US is like Rome, full of itself and its own bombast.
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Feb 26, 2016 05:55pm
@ The Author : Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the first Indian woman elected to the US House of Representatives
... you mean the first Hindu woman.
Tulsi Gabbard (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been the United States Representative for Hawaii's second congressional district since 2013.
It is wrong to automatically assume every Indian to be Hindu as it is to assume every Hindu to be Indian.
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Feb 26, 2016 05:56pm
This decision of Obama Administration, again put India on the Russian site. and shows that american are not trusted friends.
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Feb 26, 2016 06:14pm
Why do Pakistan need F-16 of 70's technology once they have JF-17 latest technology?
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Feb 26, 2016 06:28pm
@Tariq: They are quite nervous, being big & posing big are two different things. Pakistan should aim to purchase at least 100 more F16 & F22 planes from USA & should manufacture 500 JF17 itself.
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Feb 26, 2016 06:29pm
The Indian origin Congresswoman said:"--- the sale was not justified given the fact that Pakistan has long harboured and given safe haven to various terrorist groups that continue to launch destabilizing attacks within India, as well as Afghanistan". What a naive woman of no common sense! US administration is nobody's fool. It has categorically explained that, the F-16 are being provided to Pakistan so as to enhance its capabilities in fighting the same terror groups she had referred to as being danger to India and Afghanistan!
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Feb 26, 2016 06:52pm
@Agrippa - The Skeptic : Your post prompted me to see her bio. She is not of Indian origin as stated in this story, as non of her parents are of Indian origin. She is from American Samoa. Her mother is a practicing Hindu by her choice and all her children adopted the same religion.
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Feb 26, 2016 06:55pm
I can not believe why Indians are crying over 8 planes.
They repeat the same lines over and over again.
Their reaction to this deal shows how insincere they are towards making friends with Pakistan.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:01pm
@Azhar_Khan America is loosing dignified leaders. People with personality and character.
People like Tulsi, Trump, Ted use dirty cards for popularity. And main streem Americans buy what ever they use. Not a good trend.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:20pm
And a more pressing question is How will USA justify installing a F16 plant in India?
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Feb 26, 2016 07:34pm
OK so Pakistan buys weapon from US. Then India will ask more weapons from US just to balance the equation. Eventually Pakistan runs out of money to run any civilian projects and whatever money Pakistan has got will be used to repay the loan borrowed for F-16s. India and Pakistan looses and US gains billions in arms sale.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:36pm
@Mehmod low cost of manufacture of F16 and high profit by selling to friendly countries.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:40pm
India is not worried about the sale as much as it is confused about US commitment towards World peace as well as its trustworthiness in partnerships.
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Feb 26, 2016 07:57pm
Only 8 F-16 could make India so much nervous! Amazing
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Feb 26, 2016 08:00pm
@lafanga true by all means, its jealousy, prejudice and hate, they preach against
pakistan, we shall win inshallah,
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Feb 26, 2016 08:13pm
Why Pakistan is allowing its good name to be dragged like this? Wasnt it suppose to be a state to state transaction? Where does India come into this? About time we pull the plug on this deal ourselves and look for better alternatives like Russian Su-35. This daily non sense from American congressmen/women is frankly getting quite annoying.
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Feb 26, 2016 08:19pm
Interestingly, India has brotherly ties with Russia, both blindly trust on each other. Same with Japan, the so called 'best friend' of India.
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Feb 26, 2016 08:23pm
@Yousuf I don't think so, India buys its 'stuff' mainly from Russia and EU
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Feb 26, 2016 08:33pm
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is influenced by lobbies she is not aware of history. Pakistan aligned with United States during the Cold War. Pakistan armed forces was equipped and trained by the US. PAF was built by USAF which provided T-33, T-37, F-86, F-104, B-57 and C-130 aircraft (later F-16s).
President Ayub's state visit to USA in early 60s was historic, as no foreign leader was ever accorded such welcome. President Kennedy, First Lady with entire Cabinet was present at the airport to receive Pakistani President with red carpet and bands.
General Chuck Yeager of USAF, the first man to cross the sound barrier creating aviation history was posted in Pakistan in early 70s, to train PAF. In his amazing memoirs he says he loved flying with hot shot PAF pilots who were second to none.
PAF has been flying F-16s for 30 years, Obama Administration providing another 8 jets to PAF is normal. To make it an issue is malicious, just when India is acquiring latest 36 Rafale jets from France?
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Feb 26, 2016 08:47pm
Pakistan needs to build schools, Colleges, Universities not keep on buying weapon from west. Invest in future don't sell it to the west in the name of loan payments which already crippled us.
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Feb 26, 2016 08:47pm
Being USA relationship countries always faced problems. I seriously wish Pakistan some how get rid of US and build more and more strong relationship with China and Russia. Let them enjoy friendship with Indian. Indian will soon or later will face problem which Pakistan is facing because of US relationship.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:05pm
USA must cooperate with India given its "Military to military ties and other aspacts" but should not forget Pakistan's larger than expected secrifices in terms of its participation in war against terrorism and materilizing US objects when it was at logger head with USSR. Pakistan is still embroiled in the effects of that era and suffered colossally when the strategic human assets turned their guns against it at a time when the Superpowere unjudiciously forsaken them. We need F-16 at all costs because we are at war with an idiology not only lethal for the security of our country but also for the whole world. India's hands are not as clean as it wants to make the whole world to believe by citing one incident of terror on its soil and terming it the brain child of Pakistan but international community is well awared in their understanding that India is perpetually involved in perpetrating a rain of terror on our soil. So our need is not out of context and based on our security paradigm.
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Feb 26, 2016 09:37pm
This is aart of strategic US policy to tease Indians into agreeing a plant for F16 in india for a much larger return on investment and blocking Russians, UK and France to be apart of made in india program. Long term economic gains for US and superior global leadership by isolating Russia more.
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Feb 27, 2016 01:22am
@Indianised American We are fine with . Whoever gets closer to Uncle Sam ultimately pays the price!
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Feb 27, 2016 02:40am
@Taimoor khan
India expressed it's opinion. Theere is no reason why the U.S. should listen to India. It's just the senate has to approve foreign military sales. It's the system of checks and balances that allows one branch of government to hold accountable.
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Feb 27, 2016 03:25am
It is important for US public officials of Indian origin to differentiate between what is good for the US and what is good for India.
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Feb 27, 2016 04:04am
@Abid
Are 75 F-16s not sufficient to fight the terrorists? What a joke....
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Feb 27, 2016 06:36am
it means home made fighter jets are not capable for internal problems. one F 16 fighter jets cost 40000 round about new opening school for the welfare of this country.surprise no voice from country people.
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Feb 27, 2016 08:13am
I don't think India is seriously trying to prevent this deal. Something makes me feel that India is just trying to test how much influence they have secured so far in the US lawmaking machinery.
On a second note, I see people wondering why so much concern for 8 f-16s. Well.. these are F-16s - even 8 is a formidable number - very formidable.
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Feb 27, 2016 06:05pm
weapon makers keep profiting, we keep fighting, and the game goes on..
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Feb 27, 2016 09:56pm
@Peace
If you watch also on YouTube how President Ayub Khan of Pakistan was given reception by American Admisitration and public you will be amazed and could fall dead. Those were the good Cold War days, hence an extravagant treatment to Pakistanis...just as the Cold War compulsions made USSR give a warm welcome to Indra Gandhi.
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Feb 27, 2016 10:05pm
If the deal is cancelled by the US or even if it gets stalled....Pakistan should sign a deal with Russia or China.
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Feb 27, 2016 10:16pm
we should refuse to take F-16s as previously USA took money from us and did not deliver F-16 s and also this time usa will not give us F-16s as US is friend of India it is a pity that our foreign secretaries do not understand.Thank you America we do not need your help
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Feb 27, 2016 10:29pm
Eight F-16 aren't gonna change the military balance in the Sub Continent. So why we Indians are being small so minded. Pakistan has the right to import any weapon system from anywhere like all other countries in the world. So please Mr. Indian Prime Minister stop being a cry baby.
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Feb 27, 2016 10:44pm
@Sunil The sale will still go thru, it will prevent Pakistan from capitulating totally to Chinese camp. China has already access to Gwadar Port, next move will be to move into
Islamabad and employing Nawaz Sharif as Chinese ambassador to Pakistan .
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Feb 28, 2016 05:41am
@Faraz Tulsi is not of Indian origin, but is from Hawai.
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Feb 28, 2016 01:19pm
India is ranked as 4th largest military strength with 1488 fighter aircraft ranking as worlds #1 military purchaser.
Pakistan is ranked 17th in military strength with 394 fighter aircraft worlds #10 military purchaser due to India.
How can 8 F16 offset the balance already paid for 10 years ago this is amazing hood and wink USA-Indian double standards.
World has known that Pressler amendments did so much good to Pakistan than any other amendments in the history.
No only Pakistan became Nuclear Power but also self sufficient in making JF-17 fighter aircrafts.
With only Saber F86 PAF down 5 Indian aircrafts in 55 seconds by Air Commodore (R) M.M Alam a in 1965 is world record that sill has not been broken.
Pakistan is not a cat that can be cornered with blocking these 8 F16. It will be a blessing in disguise.
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