Pakistan has raised strong “concerns” after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly suggested that he sell Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to India at a recent joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi It has been announced.
On February 13, President Trump announced he was ready for an administration to sell the F-35 stealth fighter, considered among the world’s most advanced military aircraft.
He pointed to a multi-billion dollar defence deal with India this year as a potential lead in providing stealth fighters. Trump said efforts are ongoing to ultimately offer the F-35 to India.
During the press conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on the broader defence partnership between the two countries rather than directly addressing Trump’s comments on the F-35.
He added: “The US plays an important role in preparing India for its defense. We are actively moving forward in co-development, co-production and technology transfer.”
Additionally, an official statement from the Indian government strengthened expectations of completing new orders for six Boeing P-8i Maritime Patrol aircraft, expanding India’s current 12 fleet.
This development prompted discussion in India about the possibility that the SU-57 and F-35 would compete for Air Force trade, but also elicited acute response from Pakistan.
During the weekly press conference on February 14, Shafqat Ali Khan, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), warned of the impact of such weapon transfers, and regional military affairs. It exacerbates the imbalance and threatens strategic stability, he added. .
The spokesman further said such actions have little to do to support the enduring peace goals in South Asia.
He said, “They remained helpful in achieving the endurance of South Asia peace objectives. We would like to take a holistic and objective view of issues of peace and security in South Asia. urges international partners to refrain from supporting positions that are one-sided and deviate from earthly reality.”
However, Pakistan’s accusations that such deals disrupt efforts to maintain peace in the region are contradictory as it is reportedly in the process of acquiring fifth-generation fighters from China. It looks like that.
Turks question double standards
Pakistan is not alone in its rage over Trump’s announcement. This decision sent shockwaves through Turkey, Pakistan’s solid ally. It was expelled from the F-35 program after purchasing the Russian S-400 air defense system.
The echo of frustration is greater as many in Turkey views the move as yet another example of Washington’s selective policy. Turkish officials remained silent on the issue, but the public’s response was not quiet.
Social media platforms, X (formerly Twitter), are flooded with accusations of “hypocrisy” and “double standards” by the US.
Many Turkish users wonder why India continues to enjoy Washington’s favor despite having acquired the same Russian-made S-400 system while Turkey is being kicked out of the program without hesitation. I’m questioning it.
Turkey’s removal from the 2019 F-35 programme poses major security risks by operating both the F-35 and S-400, potentially putting stealth technology on fifth generation fighter jets at risk It was justified by the United States on the grounds that it is sexual.
However, similar acquisitions in India have not caused the same results. In fact, rather than imposing sanctions, the US home later granted India a waiver under the American enemy, which it opposed through the Sanctions Act (CAATSA), effectively protecting it from penalties.
Aviation journalist Gareth Jennings has tackled the backlash and while he understands frustration in Turkey, he argued that things have changed under the Trump administration.
He suggests that previous policies no longer apply in the same way, and that perceived double standards are to change political priorities over complete bias.
Some also point out an important distinction between the situation in Türkiye and India. As a member of NATO, Turkey is set to receive the standard NATO version of the F-35, making the existence of the S-400 a direct threat to the Allied defense system.
In contrast, the US can offer India a customized variant of the F-35 equipped with localized technology, designed to operate independently of NATO’s integrated military structure.
