Washington: The Obama administration has "recognised" the concerns of lawmakers with regard to sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan and those are right now being taken into consideration, a top American diplomat told the US Congress today.
"We understand the very serious concerns that has been raised by the Congress and those concerns are right now being taken into consideration," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on South Asia.
"I do not have an update for you with respect to that notification and where it goes. But I will say that we recognized the concerns that Congress has raised with us," Ms Biswal said.
During the hearing Congressman Matt Salmon Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific praised the Obama Administration for taking into the strong viewpoint of the Congress and its lawmakers with regard to sale of eight F-16 to Pakistan.
"It looks that that sale is in kind of a limbo right now," he said.
"We have a very important relationship between the United States and India. We also have a very important relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Each relationship stands on its own merit in furtherance of our goals and interest in both countries. We do not see them in any way as a zero sum," Ms Biswal observed.
"The F-16 platform is the one we have felt has been used successfully in combating terrorism. That has been the basis on which the administration put forward the notification to provide an additional eight F-16s," Ms Biswal said.
"This (opposition to sale of F-16 to Pakistan) was across the aisle. This was not just Republicans or Democrats. This was across the aisle and a lot of concern that was expressed to end to its credit the administration I believe is taking those things into account," Mr Salmon said.
"We understand the very serious concerns that has been raised by the Congress and those concerns are right now being taken into consideration," US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on South Asia.
"I do not have an update for you with respect to that notification and where it goes. But I will say that we recognized the concerns that Congress has raised with us," Ms Biswal said.
Top Amreican diplomat Nisha Desai Biswal said that the US government has "recognised" the concerns of the US Congress to give F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan.
During the hearing Congressman Matt Salmon Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific praised the Obama Administration for taking into the strong viewpoint of the Congress and its lawmakers with regard to sale of eight F-16 to Pakistan.
"We have a very important relationship between the United States and India. We also have a very important relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Each relationship stands on its own merit in furtherance of our goals and interest in both countries. We do not see them in any way as a zero sum," Ms Biswal observed.
Advertisement
"This (opposition to sale of F-16 to Pakistan) was across the aisle. This was not just Republicans or Democrats. This was across the aisle and a lot of concern that was expressed to end to its credit the administration I believe is taking those things into account," Mr Salmon said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
US Deepening Its Relationship With India In Several Areas: Official 'Picked Up Amazing Friends, Enjoyed Great Food': US Envoy On 1 Year In India The 'Havana Syndrome' And Its Connection To Russia BJP Subtly Asking Ajit Pawar To Quit "Mahayuti": Sharad Pawar's NCP Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai 'Friend' Arrested For Making Viral Mumbai Couple's Intimate Videos: Cops UK Covid-19 Inquiry To Issue First Report On Preparedness Secret Service Head To Testify To US House Panel On Trump Shooting Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.