https://arab.news/6ebtj
- US has approved a possible sale of integrated air defense weapon system to India ahead of Trump’s visit
- Pakistan cannot afford arms race in the region, foreign office spokesperson says
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said the sale of sophisticated US military equipment to India will have “serious security implications for Pakistan” and that the deal was tantamount to destabilizing the region.
“Pakistan sees the growing defense relations and deals between US and India as contribution in destabilization of South Asia,” the foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement earlier this week that the US Department of State has approved a possible sale to India of military equipment comprising an integrated air defense weapon system.
“The sale of such sophisticated weapon system to India at this time is particularly disturbing for Pakistan,” Farooqui said.
The US decision “will disturb the strategic balance” in South Asia and will have “serious security implications for Pakistan and the region.”
“The world is aware of Indian aggressive approach toward Pakistan as they (India) have already committed 272 cease-fire violations on the Line of Control (LOC) in six weeks of this year, which resulted in killing of three civilians and 25 were seriously injured,” Farooqui said.
She emphasized that South Asia cannot afford an arms race and that it was the international community’s responsibility to prevent the region from further destabilization.
She expressed hope that President Trump will raise the issue of Kashmir with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to India, as the American leader had multiple times offered mediation to help resolve disputes concerning the region.
“The president of the United States has expressed more than once his desire to mediate on Kashmir. We hope to see those offers converted from statements to actions during President Trump’s visit to India, as Kashmir is one of the most destabilizing factors for peace in the region,” Farooqui said.