Congress questions Modi govt's silence on Trump's F-16 support to Pakistan

Congress leader Ajoy Kumar on Thursday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi government's silence on US President Donald Trump administration's approval to a $397 million package to support Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet fleet. He also raised concerns that if no tariff is imposed on foreign agricultural products, the country's agriculture sector and farmers will be destroyed.

Trump administration's move has rekindled concerns in India over potential misuse of F-16s against India. Even as the US promises stringent oversight, skeptics recall how Pakistan had deployed these same F-16s against India in the aftermath of Balakot strikes, in violation of US end-use agreement.

A former MP, Kumar said former heads of armed forces had been saying that F-16s could be used against India. He accused the government of being a mute spectator. "The US is providing help to Pakistan and our government doesn't have courage to express its reservation," he said.

He accused the Modi-led government of being "afraid", saying it had meekly surrendered before the US. He said the government should have ensured to get the US on its side without bowing its head.

"Is India a dumping ground for the US and Chinese products?" he questioned.

To mitigate Indian concerns, the US has extended an offer — allowing India access to the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. The proposal, if accepted, would represent a historic shift in US-India defence relations, as Washington has previously barred India from acquiring the F-35 due to its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defence system, which triggered US CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions.

Commenting on it, Congress leader Kumar, while referring to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's reservations on F-35, said, "F-35 is not in country's benefit... It is expensive.”