Meeting on sidelines of ASEAN Defence Ministers Plus in Kuala Lumpur. Rajnath Singh discusses cross border terrorism, US to review progress under US India Major Defence Partnership including foundational security, enhanced operational readiness, logistics, industrial and defence industrial cooperation.
India flagged 450 million dollar F-16 sustainment package approved 2022 by Biden administration and new 300 million dollar package 2025 for Pakistan including AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, Sniper targeting pods, radar upgrades. Singh said this transfer of advanced military technology to Pakistan could ultimately result in its proliferation to a third country, implying China, raising concerns for India.
India argument. F-16s not used for counter terrorism but against India. February 27 2019 after Balakot air strike, Pakistan Air Force used F-16s to bomb Indian positions in Nowshera sector, India shot down F-16 with MiG-21 Bison flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. US end use monitoring found some missing AMRAAM counts but took no action. Taliban has no air force, so F-16s for counter terrorism argument weak.
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US position. F-16 support to help Pakistan maintain readiness, counter terrorism in Afghanistan border, maintain regional stability. But India counters that Pakistan Army uses F-16s for air defence against India, not terrorism.
Also discussed Project QUAD, Indo Pacific, China border. Two Ministers agreed to continue strong cooperation since first Defence Ministerial dialogue 2018, meeting in August to review MoU on Defence Cooperation.
Rajnath tour includes Japan northeast India link to be strengthened. Centre says Rajnath visit to Tokyo includes meeting with Japanese defence firms, shipyard visits, exploring co production of UNICORN mast integrated communication system for Indian Navy, US-2 amphibian aircraft for Andaman Nicobar.
Japan is largest Official Development Assistance donor to northeast, Rs 30,000 crore since 2014 for roads, bridges, power, alternative to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative via Myanmar. Japan International Cooperation Agency funding Rs 15,000 crore for roads in Assam, Meghalaya, to counter China.
Japan ongoing visit Tokyo, industrial hub includes shipyard visits, source says two Ministers also agreed to further cooperation. Source from Japanese side says two Ministers also agreed to further cooperation in maritime domain awareness.
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Why northeast link matters? Northeast is 1,700 km border with China, 1,600 km with Myanmar, insurgency, connectivity poor. Japan funding Kaladan project? Actually India funding.
For India, US F-16 irritant old. Since 1981 Reagan gave 40 F-16s to Zia ul Haq to fight Soviets, used in Kargil 1999. In 2016 Obama blocked 8 F-16 sale after Indian lobbying. Now again sustainment.
Need for India to push for CAATSA like conditions on end use.
Tags: #RajnathSingh #F16Pakistan #USIndiaDefence #CrossBorderTerror #ASEANPlus #JapanNortheast #DefenceCooperation #Proliferation #Balakot