F-16s to Pakistan—Why Now?

Bush did the right thing.Rewarding Mushaaraf and honoring the F-16 deal.After all pakistan did pay for the 16 odd units.This article is one of the most objective i have read on this site.Manmohan Singh in 1995 , said the 21st century will be India`s century.Abdul Kalam in 1995 laid out the road map in his book ``India 2020``.These two gentlemen have ended up holding the reins of government at this time!!.An indian figures in the running for a new pope.The indian entertainment industry is gaining worldwide recognition too.Washington is just playing it`s cards right this time.

Well written!

Well written, indeed.

Otherwise, what`s new? Did anyone really ever believe that the US, UK, blah blah blah could be our friends? Did anyone ever think that even by a remote chance there could be a peace between the political elites of India and Pakistan, notwithstanding their respective populace`s desire for it?

Neither of the two scenarios have ever suited the G8`s interests.

The purchase of these f-16 fighter jets by Pakistan is an invitiation to diaster. The author spoke about how we would again be reliant on spare parts manufactured in America. Pressler Amendment square-rooted the capability of the Pakistan Air Force. By increasing our arsenal of F-16s, we are increasing that very dependence, which in the face of another Pressler-type of statue, would again become rather impotent.

Pakistan should realize it should put in money into its infrastructure, hospitals, schools, universities, and uplift the status of the People of Pakistan. Give birth to industries at home, which would help Pakistan provide jobs directly and indirectly to the Pakistani people.

Hindustan is a massive country, and unlike Pakistan, Hindustan has other players to keep in check. The most prominent of the players would the Chinese. India has been `castrated` by invading armies throughout it`s history. Aryan invasion, Arab and Mongol invasions, Mughal Establishment, and the British Empire have all tampered with the the `Vedic` development of Hindu Civilization. Chalo, enough intellectual bongies. The fact of the matter is that India is a rising power on the world stage. It is no longer irrelevant, and it is surely as important as the Germans, French, or Britons.

India is woven into the social, economic, and political fiber of South Asia. It`s GNP is more than all of South Asia combined. India has to have a military, so that India would be able to throw it`s weight around. `Speak softly and carry a big stick` - Teddy Roosevelt

The Indians have done a much better job than their Pakistani cousins when it comes to promoting development of industries. There is a babu in PAkistan as their is in India, but the Indian babu is more progressive than the Pakistani babu. As the shackles of Nehruvian Socialism are further hacked off from the Indian giant, India will become more powerful of a nation.

I remeber reading about the Americans offering India and Pakistan select amount of seats in their best universities. This is the 1960`s era I believe. The Pakistanis decided to send their `best students`, even though many Pakistani questioned the merit of those students. Nehru however said to the Americans that instead of offering those seats, give us the money and send over some of your best university designers to help us open a great institution in India. I think the Indian government dolled out some money for the iniative as well. Just look at how progressively the Indians managed the situation, whereas we raced to get to the East Coast.

I believe you guys are aware of the entire Soup and Shampoo contreversy, which helped India save capital and develop more universities and colleges in the country.

Heck, look at the Indians when it comes to promoting domestic industries. They purchase MADE-IN-INDIA cars, they always have! The goverment promotes it whenever they buy the cars. OVer here, our government prefers S-500`s MERCS, BMWS, Pajeros, and a multitude of other cars. It`s not just a slap in the face of sanity, it`s a slap in the face of humanity (Pakistani people).

hehe

#4 by haroonellahi

Soup and Shampoo controversy? What is that? Can you elaborate please?

Thanks.

A wrong if not an outright foolish decision. F-16 is now more of playing domestic politics rather than a military need.

US is not giving them for free either. And US could anytime make them useless by stopping the spares. If this lesson has not been learnt in last 40 years, it is being too naive.

It was better to pour this money into the XF-17 co-production project with China. Its prototype is already out.

Unless, the precision bombing required on the hide outs of Talibans/Al Qaida in Hindu Kush Mountains require this capability. That could only be a valid cause.

nhk

Soap and Shampoo contreversy.

The Indians banned the import of foreign produced soap and shampoo into India. This is where the joke came about, `Indians smell like Pakoras`. however, unfortunately for the pakora dissing Pakistanis, the Indian`s began to produce their own soap and shampoo. The money saved was somehow put into the education sector. Just another one of those progressive 100-years-ahead thinking of the Indians.

Re: # 5
harish that is another of the young mans jokes - in days of yore when there was a ban on the import of sundry goods the elite used to joke about the stink of the Indians. Little realising that soon companies like HL would be jewel in the crown of Unilever precisely because of this......

Re: # 8 hah didnt see 7

What US realises is that India is destined to become a world power due to its economic potential, natural and human capital, everything. So it`s better that she remains at their side than anyone else and that`s why this talk of strategic alliance, partnership and stuff. But India is not foolish to get into an arms race with China and indeed she has a security
``understanding`` with Russia and China committing herself to a multi-polar world. So I think a degree of estrangement will continue between the worlds oldest and worlds biggest democracy despite the talk of being ``natural allies``.

The problem with democrats is that they trust no one. Capitalist democrats are a bunch of lousy guys who`d sell their own mothers if the price is right. Kind of bastards who`d kill their fathers and f*** their own mothers. No exaggeration really. Love and loyalty doesnt mean much until you attach a price to it. So loyal and steadfast ally that the author speaks of doesnt amount to anything really. Pakistan, in the words of a retired Paki general, is simply a condom that US uses and discards at will. And sooner this dawns on Pakistani elite the better it is.

We in India of course know all of these facts. Because democracy practised in India is baser than propounded by champions of democracy (read US and the West). And we`re proud of it. So please call us democrats for now. Hindus, Indians - these terms are really insulting.

Cheers

this is a very good analysis ghori sahib. spot on.
sadly, our spineless fauji leadership are so delighted at this sop from washington that they fail to notice that already the F-16 is an outdated fighter craft. it was state of the art in the 80s. now it is the 21st century and the F-18, Su-37, F22 and Eurofighter are the 5th Generation planes. I believe India has, or can easily get, any of these above if it wants them. No one will sell any of these latest to Pakistan--even if we could afford them!

I think pakistan`s best strategic plan would be to cut down the size of its conventional army and put most of the funds into maintaining and developing its nuclear forces as the backbone of its defence.

that h2rami Bush of the skulls and Daggers fame is up to his cheap tricks again. This time he is trying to feed his constituency where the F-16 asembly line is situated and taking kick backs from these arms sales (remember, his papa is one of the biggest arms dealers in the world now)!!!

and i agree with haroon`s post too--the money saved with a smaller army can be put into developing infrastructure and home-grown institutions like the IITs.

wake up and smell the coffee(lahore dunkin donuts coffee at that)...the F-16s are for mushy getting on board the new world order...a world order in which India keeps Indian Kashmir and Pakiland keeps paki Kashmir....

say goodbye to ``Kashmir banega Pakistan``.....

Re: # 12

correction- the reference was to the Skull and Bones Society of Yale where the Bush duo studied.

`` The problem with democrats is that they trust no one. Capitalist democrats are a bunch of lousy guys who`d sell their own mothers if the price is right. Kind of bastards who`d kill their fathers and f*** their own mothers. No exaggeration really. Love and loyalty doesnt mean much until you attach a price to it. So loyal and steadfast ally that the author speaks of doesnt amount to anything really. Pakistan, in the words of a retired Paki general, is simply a condom that US uses and discards at will. And sooner this dawns on Pakistani elite the better it is.
``

Thats aptly Put......and very well said.... vagabond78