F-16 to Pak calls into question substance of Indo-US ties: Tharoor

New Delhi : Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said the United States clearing the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan is ‘cynicism of the highest order’, and calls into question the substance of India’s relationship with America.

“I am very disappointed to hear this news. The truth is that continuing to escalate the quality of arms available to an irresponsible regime that has sent terrorists to India, and in the name of anti-terrorism, is cynicism of the highest order,” Tharoor told ANI.

“The Americans never seem to learn that every single time such weaponry, advanced aircraft and other things have been used against us,” he added.

“I am extremely disappointed and the government ought to make their displeasure known very clearly,” he added.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency – a wing of the Pentagon – said in a statement, that this proposed sale, worth nearly USD 700 million, contributes to US foreign policy objectives and national security goals by helping improve the security of a strategic partner in South Asia.

The Pentagon said the proposed sale improves Pakistan’s capability to meet current and future security threats sand won’t alter the military balance in the region.

The Indian government said Pakistan’s record in encouraging cross-border terrorism “for the last many years speaks for itself”. (ANI)