Ex-Foreign Secy: US Arming Pakistan Against India; India Must Respond

• Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal accused the US of arming Pakistan against India, citing a proposed $686 million F-16 upgrade package.
• The US recently notified Congress of a $686 million upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, drawing criticism and attention in India.
• Sibal highlighted previous US military aid to Pakistan, including F-16 upgrades and AMRAAM missile supplies, suggesting India needs to craft a response in defense ties.
• Dhruva Jaishankar of ORF America also raised concerns about renewed US engagement with Pakistan's military, given Pakistan's history of using terrorist proxies against India.

Why It Matters: US arming Pakistan against India complicates India-US defense ties.