WASHINGTON: Washington on Friday approved $125 million worth of support for Pakistan’s F-16 warplanes, and also $670 million worth of support for India’s C-17 transport planes.
Approval to support US-built aircraft for the two South Asian rivals were approved by the US State Department and announced simultaneously by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The approval for technical and logistics support for Pakistan’s F-16s comes just days after Prime Minister Imran Khan met with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The potential sale will support US foreign policy and national security “by protecting US technology through the continued presence of US personnel that provide 24/7 end-user monitoring,” the statement announcing the Pakistan approval read.
Separately, the DSCA said that India asked to buy spare parts and test equipment for their Boeing C-17 transport planes, and is seeking personnel training, among other things, “for an estimated cost of $670 million.”
“India needs this follow-on support to maintain its operational readiness and ability to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) assistance in the region.
“India will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces,” the statement announcing the approval read.
Both statements added that the proposed sales of equipment and support “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
US approves sales to support Pakistan’s F-16s, India’s C-17s
US approves sales to support Pakistan’s F-16s, India’s C-17s
- The approval comes only a few days after Prime Minister Imran Khan met with President Donald Trump at the White House
- A US statement says the sales "will not alter the basic military balance in the region"
Pakistan, Indonesia agree to establish joint trade committee to deepen economic partnership
- Both countries last month signed seven agreements to deepen cooperation in trade, higher education, halal certification and health
- Pakistan intends to organize a Single-Country Exhibition and Business Forum in Jakarta, with invitations extended to ASEAN members
KARACHI: Pakistan and Indonesia further strengthened their economic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of the Indonesia–Pakistan Joint Trade Committee (JTC) to enhance dialogue, facilitate cooperation and jointly address opportunities and challenges in bilateral trade, the Pakistani commerce ministry said on Saturday.
The development comes a month after both countries signed seven memoranda of understanding to deepen cooperation in trade, higher education, halal certification and health during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s two-day visit to Islamabad.
The MoU was signed following successful high-level talks led by Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and visiting Indonesian Vice Minister of Trade Ms. Dyah Roro Esty Widya Putri, reflecting a shared commitment to deepening economic ties.
Khan underscored Indonesia’s strategic importance within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and highlighting its potential role as a regional hub for fostering trilateral and regional economic cooperation.
“Pakistan could serve as a reliable source for minerals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food commodities for the Indonesian market,” he was quoted as saying.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Indonesia stood at $4.5 billion, with more than 90 percent of it comprising palm oil imports from Indonesia. He said both sides discussed “corrective measures” to balance this trade during President Subianto’s visit to Islamabad.
Commerce Minister Khan conveyed Pakistan’s intention to organize a Single-Country Exhibition and Business Forum in Jakarta, with invitations to be extended to ASEAN member states aimed at showcasing Pakistani products and strengthening regional business linkages, according to the commerce ministry.
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) sought Indonesian facilitation for the early announcement of fruit import quotas, rationalization of certification requirements for Pakistani exports, notification of rice import quotas, and improved market access for industrial-grade potatoes from Pakistan.
“Both sides agreed to work jointly toward expanding the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), with the shared objective of progressing toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to unlock greater trade and investment opportunities,” the commerce ministry added.
