US-Pakistan Relationship Not Served Either Of Two: EAM Jaishankar

Amid the Biden administration's approval of a USD 450 million sustenance package for the F-16 fleet, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday said that America's relationship with Pakistan has "not served" either of the two nations.

Talking about the deal, Jaishankar said, “For someone to say I am doing this because it counts as a counter-terrorism act, but when you are talking about aircraft, like the F-16 where everybody knows where they get employed and their use. You are not fooling anybody by saying these things." 

He further said that to the American policy-maker, I would say, what you are doing. The US has to reflect on the merits of this relationship and what they get from it.

Earlier this month, the US State Department approved a military sale of the F-16 fighter aircraft’s maintenance and related equipment to Pakistan at a cost of USD 450 million. 

The US argued that the deal is to sustain Pakistan's capability to meet current and future counter-terrorism threats.

Meanwhile, during his speech at the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he said, India firmly advocates a ‘zero-tolerance’ approach towards terrorism as we have borne the brunt of cross-border terrorism for decades. In our view, there is no justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation and rhetoric, however sanctimonious, nothing can ever cover up blood stains.

By pointing out China, he said, “The United Nations responds to terrorism by sanctioning its perpetrators. Those who politicise the UNSC 1267 Sanctions regime, sometimes even to the extent of defending proclaimed terrorists, they do so at their own peril. Believe me, they advance neither their own interests nor indeed their reputation.”

Minister clarified again India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war by saying that India is on the side of peace and will remain there and those who respect the UN Charter and its founding principles and believe in dialogue and diplomacy. "We seek early resolution of this conflict and it is in our collective interest," he added. 

He advanced India's bid for the permanent seat on the UNSC. he said, “We believe in multipolarity, rebalancing, fair globalisation and reformed multilateralism with reforms of the Security Council at their core, which enjoy considerable support among UN members.”