U.S. F-35 fighter jets agreement under review, according to Government's announcement: 'No substantive negotiations...'
The ongoing discussions to cease military action between India and Pakistan, initiated at Pakistan's request, are being facilitated by the United States. These negotiations, which took place directly through the established channels of communication between the two nations' armed forces, have been separate from any discussions about F-35 fighter jets or underwater systems.
During a recent visit to the United States, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and American officials issued a joint statement, mentioning that the US will review its policy on releasing F-35 and underwater systems to India. However, these discussions are still under review, as stated by the Indian government.
Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh clarified in the Lok Sabha that no formal discussion has taken place on F-35 fighter jets with the United States. This statement was in response to questions about the relationship with the US on military assistance, posed by Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade.
The India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is founded on mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill, and robust engagement between the two countries. This partnership has benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation. Yet, the government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships, including those in the defense and strategic domains, through the prism of India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy.
Tensions between India and Pakistan remain, particularly due to differing perspectives on the Kashmir conflict and Pakistan's sponsorship of cross-border terrorism, which India considers a core national security concern. India opposes third-party mediation on Kashmir, and U.S. diplomatic efforts to engage Pakistan sometimes strain India-U.S. relations.
Recent U.S. diplomacy has been criticized for sending mixed signals, especially regarding mediation ambitions and engagement with Pakistan, which is closely aligned with China. Despite these challenges, dialogue continues, and the U.S. remains actively involved in preventing further hostilities.
In summary, while the ceasefire holds for now and diplomatic talks are progressing with U.S. facilitation, core issues between India and Pakistan—particularly on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism—remain unresolved, and mistrust persists on all sides. The ongoing discussions between the three nations offer a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution, but the road ahead remains complex and tense.
In the midst of the ongoing Indian-Pakistani conflict talks, facilitated by the United States, it's worth noting that the Indian Prime Minister and American officials have discussed the potential policy review on the release of F-35 fighter jets and underwater systems to India, although formal discussions about the F-35 jets have not yet been held. Furthermore, amidst the general news and political landscape of India, the dominance of cricket remains a unifying force, providing a much-needed distraction from the tensions with Pakistan.
