Pakistan Raises Concerns Over Trump’s F-35 Fighter Jet Offer to India During Modi’s US Visit

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns after US President Donald Trump announced his administration’s intention to supply F-35 stealth fighter jets to India during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Islamabad warned that such a move could destabilize the regional military balance, weaken strategic stability, and hinder efforts for lasting peace in South Asia, according to local media reports.

Pakistan also urged the international community to take a balanced approach instead of adopting a “one-sided view that deviates from ground realities.”

Pakistan’s Official Response

During a weekly press briefing on Friday, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated:

“Pakistan is deeply concerned over the planned transfer of advanced military technologies to India. Such steps accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability.”

He further added:

“These measures do not contribute to the objective of a durable peace in South Asia. We urge our international partners to take a holistic and objective view of issues of peace and security in the region and refrain from endorsing positions that are one-sided and disconnected from reality.”

India-US Military Cooperation Expands

In a joint press briefing with PM Modi on Thursday, Donald Trump highlighted plans to expand military sales to India, stating:

“Starting this year, we will be increasing military sales to India by many billions of dollars. We are also paving the way to ultimately provide India with the F-35 Stealth fighters.”

However, when asked if India had formally agreed to purchase the F-35s, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that no official process had begun.

“On military sales to India, there is a structured process for acquiring defense platforms. A request for a proposal is typically issued, followed by evaluations and responses. At this stage, discussions on the acquisition of advanced aviation platforms like the F-35 are only at the proposal level. No formal process has started yet,” Misri explained.

Strengthening Defence Ties: The US-India COMPACT Initiative

As part of their growing defense partnership, India and the US announced the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA), a new initiative to enhance industrial collaboration, particularly in underwater domain awareness and autonomous defense technologies.

Discussions between the two nations also covered expanding military cooperation across multiple domains, including:
✅ Air, Land, Sea, Space, and Cyberspace
✅ Joint Training and Military Exercises
✅ Operational Coordination and Technology Integration

A key highlight was the upcoming “Tiger Triumph” tri-service exercise, which will take place in India and will be larger in scale and complexity than previous editions.

India and the US also committed to improving logistics, intelligence sharing, and force mobility to enhance military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. These efforts fall under the broader framework of the “US-India COMPACT for the 21st Century”, an initiative launched by Modi and Trump to advance military partnerships, commerce, and technology cooperation.

Trump Announces Extradition of 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana

Apart from military cooperation, Donald Trump also announced the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, stating that he will soon be sent to India to face trial.

“I am pleased to announce that my administration has approved the extradition of one of the plotters, Tahawwur Rana, one of the most evil people involved in the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. He is going back to India to face justice,” Trump declared.

Rana, a businessman of Pakistani origin, was convicted for his role in facilitating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. His associate David Headley had previously pleaded guilty and testified against him.

Regional Tensions Rise Amid Strategic Shifts

The US decision to bolster India’s military capabilities with advanced fighter jets and strategic cooperation has drawn a sharp response from Pakistan. As regional tensions escalate, Islamabad is likely to seek diplomatic and strategic countermeasures to address what it perceives as a threat to South Asian stability.