The Obama administration is pushing its Pakistan deal just ahead of USA electing its new President, for which the process has already rolled out. If at all Obama was really interested to maintain the pretence of friendship and relation, he could have left the task to the new incumbent. But Obama himself pushing the deal raises questions about the real intentions of the America and Obama.

The obstinacy of the US administration to deliver the aircraft to Pakistan has been so acute that the Indian Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar openly confessed of being “hurt” at this. Parrikar probably had taken seriously the American veneer of companionship. He ought to have known that America has never been a trusted partner of India. Parrikar said;.“I am quite hurt by the sale of F-16s to Pakistan and we have expressed our opinion quite clearly to the U.S that the deal was unacceptable to us”. Parrikar who had been to Washington in December 2015 probably nursed the hope that his using the word “hurt” would dissuade the Obama administration from going ahead. Really sorry for Parrikar, he was mistaken.

Parrikar rightly termed the sale a 'down' in the US-India relationship stating: 'I'm quite hurt by that and we have expressed our feelings very clearly to America.' Little doubt this makes mockery of ambitious India-US defence cooperation signed in 2015 and the talk of making F-16 with US collaboration under Make in India programme.

Ashton Carter's visit comes as focused efforts are on to make progress in concluding the three outstanding defence pacts between the two countries. None of the pacts are in favour of India. Incidentally during his visit to Washington Parrikar had made it clear that India was “in principle” agreeable to these pacts but some more clarity was required from. So far the USA has not spelt out the situation with more clarity. India and the U.S. had in January 2015 announced a joint strategic vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. U.S. continues to accuse China of “militarising” the region. The USA in fact wants India to do proxy for it.

Carter would also pressurize India to sign on the dotted lines in favour of the “foundational agreement” for geospatial intelligence. This has been pending for a decade. Obama could not persuade India earlier. Now before leaving he intends to accomplish the task. Baring India most of its strategic partners have signed the agreement. Signing this would jeopardise the Indian interest. The USA lobby has been creating enormous pressure on the government to sign on the plea that this would benefit India. This has been the common refrain of the USA lobby throughout the globe for protecting its interest. To have it done a skewed argument is put forward, since the bilateral ties have been on upswing, there is no harm in signing this agreement.

Obama’s insistence in the backdrop of his a week old ignominious mention that Pakistan could see decades of instability and become a safe haven for new terrorist networks, possibly forcing the country's establishment to attempt a turnaround in its policy of using terrorism for its strategic goals, is really shocking as well as surprising. How could Obama who nurses such feelings towards Pakistan prefer to arm this rogue state?

Strange is the behavior and approach of the Obama administration. For achieving its own goal it was willing to go to any extent, but viewed India’s protest on supply of F 16 with utter contempt and disdain. The day after the Congressional notification, India's foreign ministry summoned US envoy, Richard Verma, to protest the sale and also conveyed its anger. But of no avail. The Obama administration did not notice of the Indian protest.

What was interesting to watch was the USA downplayed Indian concerns, saying the F-16s would be used for counter-terrorist operations in Pakistan's federally administered tribal areas (FATA). Pentagon Press Secretary Petro Cook stated: 'We think these are important capabilities for Pakistan to go after terrorists… We don't think it should be a cause for concern for India.' But Obama administration forgot the basic tenet “the war on terror does not require air-to-air missiles, airborne radar, and digital avionics'.

Obama has been doing it even after aware of the fact its decision to supply advanced F16 fighter jets to Pakistan has impacted the military balance in the sub-continent. While this attitude of Obama exposes that while he has been pursuing dualistic policy, he in fact cherishes to see a weak India dependent on the American help and dole.

How could a genuine friend of India allow the sale to Pakistan which is detrimental to its security? The USA is pushing the deal the F 16 would be used not against Afghanistan but against India which has been threatened by the presence of ISIL and entities such as Al-Qa’ida and its affiliates, Lashkar-e-Tayibba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, D Company, the Haqqani Network, and other regional terror groups.

The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) is paying almost half the cost as military aid. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports that, between 2002-2014, the US sold Pakistan military kit worth $5.4 billion. About half consisted of F-16s. The CRS reports that, since 2001, the US Congress has allocated $3.6 billion in Foreign Military Financing (an aid category) for Pakistan. More than two-third of this has been disbursed already. Incidentally some year back Obama has spoken to review the military aid to Pakistan. Yes of course Obama reviewed it and the result before us: he increased the aid substantially, as in his design of things Pakistan is the most trusted and reliable partner, even more than India.

While the administration has continuously insisted for last three months that supplying a new batch of F-16 to Pakistan was essential for its Afghanistan strategy, some of the US lawmakers opposed to the deal counter it on the grounds that Pakistan continues to support terror outfits. Some have also raised the point these nuclear capable planes could be used to threaten India and destabilise the region. However, U.S lawmakers are under immense pressure from Lockheed Martin, the company that manufactures F-16s, according to sources that are familiar with the circumstances.

The U.S. decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan will reinforce the centrality of Pakistan’s Army. The F-16 fighting Falcon is one of the most modern fourth generation aircraft in service. Undoubtedly the U.S. move is a setback to India’s hopes that in view of voluminous evidence of Pakistan’s agencies continuing to support anti-India groups like the LeT, the U.S. would rethink its defence sales to the country. The regimented stand of the Obama administration nevertheless raises a pertinent question; “What is the net result of the so-called friendship between the Indian Prime Minister and the U.S. President, which was very much publicised by the government.” The experts have found “a lot of evidence” that Pakistan facilitated the Taliban offensive. (IPA Service)