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Pakistan Criticizes Proposed Sale of US Missile Systems to India

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - PakistansaidFridaythataproposednew multimillion-dollar sale
   of American missile systems toIslamabad'sarchrival,India,would
   destabilize an already "volatile" situation in South Asia.'¯

   The U.S. Department of State on Tuesday cleared the delivery
   of10AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles,16MK 54 lightweight
   torpedoesandrelated equipment to India.'¯

   New Delhi has notcommentedon the $155 milliondeal, which isstill
   subject to congressional approval.

   "Pakistan has articulated its concerns regarding the sale of
   sophisticated weapons to India,which would further destabilize the
   region," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui told her weekly
   news conference.'¯

   The deal is "particularly disturbing"at the time when global efforts
   are focused on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Farooqui said,while
   responding to a questionfrom VOA.

   "There is a high possibility of India conducting a false flag operation
   while global efforts are directed towards combating the pandemic."

   Tensions are high

   Pakistan's military tensions with India remain high and both
   nuclear-armednationshave been locked in intense skirmishes across their
   border in the divided region of Kashmir. Thetensions over
   theHimalayanterritoryhavesparked two of the warsbetween themand
   continues to be the primary source of bilateral tensions.

   Pakistan accuses the Indian armed forces of staging fake militant
   operations on India's side of the border and using them as an excuse to
   orchestrate cross-border military attacks on the "baseless" grounds
   that the militants were sent and backed by Pakistan. New Delhi denies
   the accusations.

   Farooqui said Islamabad has repeatedly "alerted" the international
   community about India's "aggressive designs" toward Pakistan and other
   neighboring countries in South Asia.'¯

   U.S. defends proposed sale

   Washington, however,says,"The proposed sale of this equipment and
   support will not alter the basic military balance in the region."

   It said the weapon systems will be integrated into the Indian Navy's
   Boeing P-8I advanced maritimepatrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft
   to improve India's capability to meet current and future threats from
   enemy weapon systems.

   "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national
   security of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian
   strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defensive
   partner, which continues to be an important force for political
   stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South
   Asia region,"aU.S. statementsaid.'¯

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