India has gone closer to US in the last decade and half. It resulted in multiple deals of military equipment. Both countries came much closer diplomatically and India gained economically because of this bonhomie.
US wanted more control over India. But India didn’t want that to happen and was able to exercise it’s options pretty well. One example of that was recent support to Russia by India and India’s import of Russian oil. US initially tried, but finally gave up, to the extent of publicly accepting Indian position on Russia.
But that was just a public posture. Behind the screen US must have been angry. US must have thought of teaching India, what they can do to make life difficult for India.
That is when they decided to give this package for Pakistani F-16s.
What would be the impact of this deal on India? Can India retaliate in any way?
Unlikely - because it has dependency on US for its military equipment. The entire military aircraft development is dependent on US engines. India can’t either go away, more than what it is right now. With Indian position more or less fixed at current position, US decided to extend an olive branch to Pakistan.
US must have assessed that this deal has gains for the US in weaning away Pakistan from the China - only a little bit. It would also mean extension of life for F-16s and a little leverage to US for later.
All players are trying to do best for themselves in this deal.
India is also doing well to question this deal publicly, and in ways, it couldn’t have done few decades back - questioning the US logic of this deal.
Publicly declared US logic not the actual one.
India must keep the pressure up and see it’s results. If India wants to rely on US as a close and strategic partner then it should know what US is ready to give up for this partnership. If US really values this partnership and wants to take it further then it will have to come out clean and show the intent by actions and not just lofty words.
