India has arms deals with US, then why fuss over F-16 sale to Pakistan: Sartaj Aziz

File photo of Sartaj Aziz

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has `regretted` India’s objection to sale of eight F-16 Block-52 aircraft to Pakistan.

Underlining that strategic balance in South Asia is pivotal for regional peace, Aziz told a news channel that India has inked big arms deals with the United States, Russia, and other countries but it is making hue and cry over F-16 jets deal between the US and Pakistan.

He reiterated the US' stance that the jets are being provided to Pakistan to combat terrorism.

A Pakistani daily had on Monday said India's response to the sale of F-16 fighter aircraft by the US "does not make sense".

The Obama administration on Friday approved the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth USD 699 million in the face of US lawmakers' opposition to the deal over Islamabad's alleged support for terrorist groups.

The approval prompted India to summon American ambassador Richard Verma to lodge its strong protest against the move.

"We are disappointed at the decision of the (Barack) Obama administration to notify the sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement in New Delhi.