India welcomes US suspending military aid to Pakistan
"It is not desirable that this region had to be heavily armed by the US, which will upset the equilibrium in the region itself," External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said, according the domestic PTI news agency.
"To that extent, India welcomes this step," he said.
The United States is withholding some $800 million in aid to Pakistan, almost a third of the $2.7 billion in security assistance it provides each year to Islamabad.
Last month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Washington would slow down US military aid to Pakistan unless it took unspecified steps to help the United States.
William Daley, Obama's chief of staff, confirmed that the administration was suspending and, in certain cases, canceling some $800 million of military aid.
The suspended aid includes about $300 million to reimburse Pakistan for some of the costs of deploying more than 100,000 soldiers along the Afghan border, according to the New York Times, which broke the story late Saturday.
In addition, said the Times, hundreds of millions of dollars in training assistance and military hardware are also being withheld.
Correction: An earlier headline of this article did not mention the suspension of 'military'-specific aid to Pakistan. The correction has been made.
_____________________________________________
[poll id="436"]
COMMENTS (142)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1730965998-0/BeFunky-collage-(27)1730965998-0-165x106.webp "article")
1731933289-0/BeFunky-collage-(68)1731933289-0-165x106.webp "article")
@Hedgefunder:
spoken like a true stalker "not obsessed.. just observing"...
fact of the matter is India loves to shove her nose where it doesnt belong... pakistan (even if i does) has no right to comment on indian relations with other countries.. thats indias concern... if its a thret to pakistan yes itll be of concern to us.. but when if its of no thret to us it doesnt matter.. as in this case which is of no relevance to india..
we faught a war because truth be told we had no other option.. we incurred costs our economy couldnt support.. for that we were committed aid.. is the US right in holding it back.. NO!.. am i glad its holding back on it? YES... because the way i see it pakistan wil only be able to stabalize wen all unwated foreign elemints are miimized and pakistan takes control of the situation herself... and whilst iv been highly critical of the army in the past.. they are finally making an effort now...
@Sam: For your info "Iittle Indian world" does not revolve around Pakistan, its called observance as to what one's neighbour with dubous reputation is up to !!! But perhaps that's bit hard to grasp, for Big Pakistani mind, as its stuck in world of Psychedelic Dellusion, about its Grandness from within the Cocoon !! Come on Sam, learn to face the reality, it helps and we all know that you are smart.
@G. Din:
also i realize ur little indian world revolves around us but our world doesnt revolve around u or the easter border we share with u!
@G. Din:
well well it seems india is harbouring alot more terrorists than it is willing to admit to... shal we on that note send a list of top 10militants to u?...... and NO india stil doesnt get a say no matter how much u wish to stomp ur feet and shout.. india doesnt get a say.. india... needs to focus on strengtheing her intelligence and catching terrorists in her country... any take active measures taken towards that objective i shall 'welcome' as a pakistani ;)
with regards to suspension of aid.. get the facts straight.. these are expenses incurred for the over 1000 troups deployed to secure our northern border with afghanistan.. expenses already incured.. the US just doesnt approve of pakistan fnally taking measures to stand on its own two feet and tackle the situation while minimising US inteferrence .. an d why should the US interfere..... if Pakistan takes all the right steps on its own theres no need for the US to interfere.. plain and simple
Conditions will improve drastically in the region if americans and chinese keep away from the indo pak problem... Problem will be solved by business and various other exchanges so that the ppl of both countries will know fellows staying on the other side of border are not as bad as they 'd speculated.
@Sam: "...india is no one to welcome or oppose US aid given to pakista ..." Oh, but we are indeed so and we must have a say if our welfare and security are affected by it. Your theoretical mind may not think so but Muslims are known not to be living in the real world!
"...for expenses pakistan has incurred and agreed to incur on the provision that full reimbursement will be provided by the US while fighting a US led war..." That, madam (or Ms or Mohtarma, pick one), is the whole crux of the situation. If there were some assurance that all this aid would be used for the purposes US meant it to be for, namely to fight terrorism, India would not only have not objected to it but indeed welcomed it. But, if the aid so received is diverted to your eastern border, that means we are directly threatened. Such kind of breach of faith and trust has always been the modus operandi of Pakistanis, even recently with your own benefactor the US of A.. All the aid Pakistanis received from US under Baghdad Pact, SEATO and CENTO was meant to be used against communists. Instead you used it against India in the wars you inflicted on us. Breaking faith and trust comes all too easily to Pakistanis!
@Ali ; U should be thankful to your media houses like Tribune who are ready to admit their mistakes and adopt corrective measures. I hope you understand the effect of inaccurate reporting in the minds of the subconscious mass. I don't think you would have been impressed if US and other global entities stop the civilian aid to Pakistan or any region who needs external assistance for civic development. However military aid should only be provided to people who really need them for a cause. Pakistan is not ready to curb the Islamic terrorists to the degree required , rather they are always interested in using the evil force as one of their own strategic interests and hence they don't need military aid any more.
Ali
French? I though the Express Tribune was owned by the New York Times, a publication that often acts more like an organ of the American government than a newspaper.
i seriously dont get what the fuss is about.. ok here are some facts for the delusional... india is no one to welcome or oppose US aid given to pakista for expenses pakistan has incurred and agreed to incur on the provision that full reimbursement will be provided by the US while fighting a US led war
its as plain and simple as that.. India has an issue with every single one of its nighbours and is one of the least liked countries of its neighbours....and dont even get me started with the indian ego... its as sensitive as a dandelion caught in a blizzard.... or so india projects it to be as such..........
if u guys hate pakistan.. all things pakitani and all that is muslims and Holy to us then pls by all means go read newspapers published by ur news agencies.. why are u wasting our time with ur pathetic baseless comments???? and as someone so aptly has pointed out above. its cuz ur entire existance is dependant on us.. u guys are obsessed with us.. my God theres an article published about ahmedis and the injustice they are suffering and while pakistanis are praising the authro indians leave comments behind about how minorities in pakistan are dying and how pakistan is cruel towards hindus etc etc... for Gods sake its about Ahmedis !!!!!
tribune changed the title to appease its India readers lol.Tribune is a pathetic french paper catering to the large niche market of Indians obsessed with pakistan
Does it surprise us that the Indians who waste billions on weapons should try to pontificate about military balance- they are still scared we will come back to rule them like when before the British came! That's why they started nuclear race in South Asia.
I think Pakistan should just suck it up and continue accepting aid from US. Lets face it. We are not in a position to be able to afford the huge military costs on our own. And if we back out now we all know what the talibans are capable of.
After reading the latest news, Indians its high time you should shut your mouth !!!!
India and US showing their true colors.
LOL Mr. Sm krishna is trying to b wicked here. Mr. krishna do you even know what is a STATE of EQUILIBRIUM? if u did, u wud have nver talked abt the eq. stuff. could you plz mind telling the world about a recent $ 5 billion worth arms deal with the US?? Patriot defense systems, Boeing mid-air refueling tankers and what not my dear mr krishna! u guys are looking to snatch a deal of $ 10 billion dude! grow up and stop being lame! get ur facts right before u run your mouth, u hold an important office !
@M. A. Changezi To all Indians There is a say which implies to all Pakistanis “Never argue with a fool. Someone watching may not be able to tell the difference” So Mr Changezi live in your dreams nothing is going to come out of it.
@ All Indians spitting hateful venom on a PAKISTANI website
The very fact that you guys comment here, shows your unending obsession with Pakistan. We carved out Pakistan out of your Akhand Bharat (sic) to save ourselves from this hateful obsession. Do you guys have anything else to say other than spitting hatred?? My forefathers understood the mentality that pervades in a typical 'baniya' mind which you so boastfully show. You guys can NEVER EVER have balanced approach. Get a life and leave us alone.
This is a welcome news , now its the time to get focused and start with our own plans.Forget about the aid now and
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Finally Pakistan's arch rival India has shown its real face and has proven that India is the enemy of Pakistan furtively and apparently shows that India is a friend of Pakistan.You our arch rivals must keep it in your minds that blockade of military aid only shall effect the kingly life styles of our corrupt,beggars and slaves leaders and common and poor man's life shall never be effected.You shouldn't be more happy because US officials are no more willing to stay in Afghanistan because USA and its allied forces are facing the most worst defeat in Afghanistan and this is why they are using these types of tactics so that they could get permanent airbases in Pakistan for staying in South East Asia to keep an eagle eye on the Asian countries' including India also activities especially nuclear activities especially on Iran and Pakistan.The blockade of military aid doesn't mean Pakistan can't survive and the blockade of US' military aid shall help us to stand on our own feet to get real self-reliance and self-respect so that we could secure and protect our honor,grace,dignity,integrity and sovereignty.
@all Indian commenters: 'India buys them, Pakistan gets them in aid'
So buying a killing machine is ok but getting them in aid is not ok? :) And Pakistan was not going to get missile capable nuclear submarines or stealth aircraft :) the inventory ranges from supplies for Apache to night vision goggles.. by the way what will you guys do with nuclear missile based submarines? drown them for building coral reefs?
@All Indians - What are we trying to prove here? Why don't we understand that deluded Pakistanis are not ready to listen to anything other than the propaganda taught in their school or by their army. Their own sane population hve given up hope and fleeing the country leaving a bunch of angry, frustrated people merged in illusion; Why do we bother then?
Somebody said here stealing American jobs. Somebody said that we are facing insurgencies in certain regions. Whom are you fooling guys? Debate jitne ke liye kuchh bhi bologe kya?
I will only say what one of the fellow Pakistani authors said yesterday on ET - "Kabhi aapni shakal dekhi hai"
I voted that its a good thing FYI
@M. A. Changezi:
Your wish can not always be the truth. Basically, you desire for an unstable india as Pakistan, but sorry dear, that is not the fact. A big and developing nation like India which is home to many religion, cast, creed, ethinicity, language and region will always have some problem of harmonisation, but our libaral democratic process has enough strength to resolve these issue. In the past we have resolved the separatist movement in Assam, Tamilnadu, Mizoram, Punjab, Nagaland etc. People of these states are in the mainstream and prospering in 21st Century India. Actually, states like Tamilnadu and Punjab is leader of economic developent in the country and whole india is proud of them. Hence, pl. do not worry about India, we will ensure that our unity and integrity is intact inspite of few hiccups. Regading poverty, yes we have poverty and we and our leadership acknowledges it , hence for the last 20 years we have gone for economic reform and globlisation. You must be aware that for the last 10 years India is growing @ 8 - 9 % and in next ten years time with this kind of growth rate we will be able to eleminate poverty and illitracy and also be able to develope other parameter of human developement Index.
The shining India cant look beyond Pakistan...but lets be clear Mr. Krishna even if american aid stops flowing in we still have nukes as the last resort to deter your imperialist aims. Moreover, its a blessing in disguise for us.
@Rock, India(Goliath) has waged a proxy terrorist war with Pakistan(David) and UN need to be overhauled to be educated about India's gift for executing proxy wars. The proof is India's legacy and one day UN will understand that as well, buddy!
@Blithe: That is a very irresponsible comment. Do you think the Indians will sit and watch us use tactical nuclear weapons and do nothing ?
@Arindom, China's internal issues belong to China and illegal Indian occupation of Kashmir are Pakistan's concern. That simple.
A nation looking elsewhere for its own problems is bound to take a backward step at every opportunity. Same is happening with Pakistan. Its not like Pakistan will be doomed if it doesn't get the US military aid. Same thing has happened before too in 1989.
People say history repeats itself. What has Pakistan learnt from its history?
I think Pakistan need to revise their post 9/11 policies ,we have already done too much loss to us.
@Arindom: Maybe you don;t know that many of us Pakistanis are Kashmiris. We are part of the Pakistani nation in geography, culture and blood- just like Iqbal. That's why when there is fighting in Kashmir the Pak side has locals fighting the Indian army whereas India has to ship in soldiers from Indians states. That's the difference!
@Arindom:
I was referring to separatist movements in those parts. So there's no problem in Assam?
@AnIndian: If you say “Kashmir valley” is volatile; I would agree because it is a FACT… (also remember, that Kashmir valley is only a tiny part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir) I am at a loss of understanding as to how mentioning all the north-eastern states of India corroborates your “misleading hypothesis” that India is unstable. If by some vague phantasmagorical delusion you are assuming there is instability in all these states and Punjab: I will only say that I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person. Stop reading “propaganda material distributed by charlatan defense analysts” which only hinders a person’s intellectual progress…
Those are doubtless the names of States but they represent separatist movements over there (if you can recall?). Those places, some if not all, are still volatile (and no I am not fond of propaganda material). So saying that India is very stable ain't a right statement. I just wanted to point out the problems in India that brings instability. Kashmir and Assam are still a challenge, ain't it?
And it ain't a battle of wits! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to learn history.
P.S: Don't get me wrong, I have relatives in India. I would love to see the two countries live in peace and harmony.
I am amused to know what Mr S.M Krishna has said with regard to stoppage of US aid to Pakistan. In such a scenario when our Pakistani friend were coming to terms with the blackmail by Americans, Mr Krishna tried to preach nonsense. He should have kept his mouth shut because India does not figure anywhere in US game-plan. What Americans & Pakistanis did was best to their judgement and interests. Meddling in other's affairs is always not welcomed. I hope after so many faux pas, Mr Krishna is set to be dropped from the Cabinet on today's reshuffle.
@ohh: Calling me a fool without checking your knowledge of your own country? Those ain't names of States only, those represent the separatist movements - Instability.
It's high time you polish up your general knowledge of your own country.
@David&Goliath: Then go to UN with proof who is stopping you. LOL
That's alright... there is still plenty of Ammo for the Pakistan Army to Reply with to any enemy on either side of the border.
Don't worry for our Army.
Be Happy for that is how you can expose your frustration.
@Whoa: Simple answer...Even though chinese army 4 times stronger they don't want India to buy more toys.. get it buddy..
Everything happens for a reason ? or is it temporary ?
@Ali: I applaud the decision by the US because it will now turn Pakistan towards getting its house in order and stop mischief making in India eg. the attack on Indian Parliament, Mumbai attacks etc. It will resurrect Pakistan from being a failed state and also save its women from getting raped etc. Good on you USA.
Funny how Pakistanis shed crocodile tears for Kashmiris but couldn't care less about their 'all weather' friend China killing thousands of muslims of XinKiang!! At least India doesnot allow outside settlement of Kashmir, but Chinese as a policy are changing the balance and reducing the Muslims of Xinkiang into a minority!
@M. A. Changezi:
I belong to the regions you mention ( Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh ) -- SO what is the problem? Each of these states have democratically elected governments. I for one, being from that region is living a safe and secure and prosperous live in India - Thanks You!!
@Rock: we'll the British are ruling Germany right?
@PostMan: You miss the point. What is being questioned is the fact that the US has been paying for the military toys to Pakistan. No one would question if Pakistan buys stuff from the US and PAYS for it on its own. You have a right to use your own money the way you want to. Every single thing that India buys, it does not do that from the doleouts from outside powers. On the US-India nuclear agreement, it still prohibits selling of weapon technology.
@Imran Aslam: " .... Indians at the back of their mind always feel urge to bring back the so called THE HINDU STATE ... "
And the problem with this is ..... ?
Dear Sir do you all ways want to remain a beggar. But why Sir Why? Be friend with India solve our problems by discussions ourselves, cut down military expenses with a treaty of joint defence and spend all the money for welfare of our people who deserve more better lives.@Althar:
Is it too much to expect from Indians to show some grace ? Are they capable of even an iota of mature behavior ? For such a large country, there are singularly insecure.
@Adnan: "day to day spending" to reduce the deficit? Spending reduces the deficit?
Which planet do you live on?
Is this a India news website? I thought it was ours! Mod, are you being paid by the indians to run this site? There are more indians comments than ours! Or did i get into a wrong site?
@rehmat: Maybe you need to brush up on history and change your name. India in fact used a foreign aid donated Candu reactor from Canada to illegaly start its nuclear program and start the nuclear arms race in South Asia. The Canadians gave this reactor to India so that they could develop peaceful nuclear energy but the Indians abused foreign aid and made nuclear weapons. This is the reality of India's equilibrium. It's ok when they use aid and cheat but when it comes to another nation, they want to talk big. Now go and read about how much India spends on military purchases when 400 million Indians have no access to a toilet. You folks sure seem to have your priorities confused.
This American ar gone craze avery day news story new dramas.they don't no what to do.they try to damage Pakistan.but I thing there ar playing with the fire.and remember Russia..... jassi karni wassi barni....Jo lagaho ha wo katto ga.Pakistan zindabad.forever.....
Well, one could see it as a blessing in disguise. Unfortunately people of Pakistan are not united and leadership is corrupt and incompetent so it might not be a disguised blessing.
@Rock, India wants the help of USA to become Super Power. If it can take one thing the US has, it knows, it will achieve that goal. And that one thing ladies and gentlemen is . . . . . . .Jobs, Jobs,Jobs,jobs from the US economy. The Indians after stealing jobs from the poor Americans even change their names and accents to try to sound like Americans. Fooling the world is in their nature!!
@ Mohammad Ali Siddiqui..( We do have a lot of scientists and they can make any type of advance military hardware. ) When do u think they are going to start doing that ?????
@Rock, When you say India (Goliath) goes to UN to give proof of terrorist organisations, you can only fool the world. Pakistan (David) knows Indian agent handlers are planting and funding those terrorists and therefore has the knowledge and thats why it is able to give information to the UN. . . . What else and how else? All these terrorists are enemy #1 and Anti-Pakistan, and are only helping India the Goliath!!! Actions speaks louder than words.
@syed Imran: Never forge tthe critical difference - India BUYS with hard cash. Pakistan BEGS with a begging bowl.
So there is no question hypocrisy.
@Khan: There is no Indian hypocrisy here - had Pakistan behaved as a civilised nation - not proliferated N-tech, not sponsored terrorism, not encouraged extremism, not indulged in adventures like Kargil and Mumbai attack, not given safe hapen for Laden, the world wouldnot have minded at all.
It is precisely the dangerous behavior of Pakistan that makes arming it ever so more destabilising.
I think i know why indian officials are giving such like statements . actually indians were taken by surprise by US decision of getting out of Afghanistan by 2014 and without putting some watch-DOG ( with this i only means INDIA) there. Indians have heavily invested there and you know very well why (Chankya policy) open secret - to destabilize Pakistan which they are doing quite good by now by providing all out support to BLA and all other lawless elements. Secondly the great indian ambition to subdue Pakistan and bring it to its terms has not been successful even US decline to support them in mumbai issue - INJURED PRIDE - ooops
some said why Pakistan require F 16s for this war I think some simply clueless person has given such remarks otherwise every one knows and even it has been internationally now recognized that how much effective an air support is when it is equipped with precession guided weapons even US is doing same but with Drone ( again an aircraft but without an on board pilot)
some indians said they buy and we BEG weapons i really feel pity on them and i suggest that they should immediately stop watching their news channels because they are nothing but an other form of BOLLYWOOD entertainment....... FIRST .......... since quite long india has actually not bought any new weapon for their forces ....... YES its true all are in PAPERS nothing actually coming indian way till quite some time time ........SECONDLY ......... all such like deals are kind of loans even indians are begging for latest weapons which are still out of their reach ............. so chill and lastly Pakistan is not going to be subdued we are going through the tough times and i am sure our nation will come out of it even stronger and our young generation is going to build it
@Khan: Befriend an Indian...??? Indians and Pakistanis make best of friends outside S Asia have you ever thought about Khan sahib..?? It is because we need to rise above this cheap and mean hatred and desire to show ourselves superior...Some of the best friends and people I know are from your country...but on personal level I am sure you've found some Indians as acceptable...we are mirror images of each-other only the mirror is skewed...... or as the great saint said Aval Allah Noor Upaya Kudarat Kay Subb Banday, Ek Noor Tay Subb Jug Upjiya, Kaun Bhalay Ko Manda......GOD Bless Pakistan & India
Still feel indians need to get a life and stop commenting on our national news sites lol
US aims and ambitions are very clear to every one but I am happy on one account on this news that it has shown the true and ugly face of INDIA. They want Pakistan to be a friendly country to India like "NEPAL" or "SRI LANKA" or may be like "MALDIVE" Ppl just remember what Indra Gandhi said on creation of Bangladesh " we have taken revenge of THOUSAND years" Indians at the back of their mind always feel urge to bring back the so called THE HINDU STATE i only wish that at this slap from US our leaders ( Political and Military both) should awake from this dream of US reliance and step up towards self reliance. They should also now start pursuing OTHER options vigorously. I accept we have to fight the menace of terrorism but it should be on our terms not on the dictation from US.
I don't understand why both Pakistan and India are making difference between them, Instead of saying why this America is Interfering in this (pak and ind) region. I hope people got my view what i was trying to say !!
its not for da 1st tym... every time they use and abuse our Holy land, Now it's upto our leader who decided to be da puppets in U.S hands that either they can live without these peanuts or not. they must learn lesson from their past history. U.S is not a reliable friend
Take my words....Pakistan will succeed soon now InshaALLAH... BTW for few ill minded people...We r not the beggars, US paid us for our services v have lost more in this war on terrorism than any other country in this world...even more than all the NATO's & USA loses so better get that...We were never the beggars, instead whole world depends on us n our role in different fields...
It is a good omen that US is not granting military aid to Pakistan.
Pakistan should stand on its own feet rather than taking military aid from US or any other country. We do have a lot of scientists and they can make any type of advance military hardware.
@Rock, If Indian army defeated Pak army 4 times, then why worry about equilibrium of power - you must be way ahead. As far as ruling Pakistan, you tried that in 4 bloody wars but failed miserably!. And you will always fail no matter how many wars and crimes you inflict upon Pakistan. You will always fail, even when you include other countries and their weapons to empower you with a big fat equilibrium power to wage wars of destabalising Pakistan. Pakistan will always be Pakistan. Just food for your thought, my friend!
@buttjee "India has always opted a policy of keeping Pakistan a weak and destabilized state..."
Where is your ghairat, man? Don't you know that Pakistan does not need anyone's help in that regard.
@Ali: There is no Asha , with Pakistan!! First handover the culprits of 26/11, than talk about any Asha's you have !!! Period !
@John: LOL ! Hello John, hope all is well with you ! Yes , I agree, this guy's logic is bit flawed !!
@ba ha: Nice thought !! But tell me , Where is the CASH?
@Khan: Yes because one with knife is just a Irresponsible Thug and the one with the depot is lot smarter as to not waste them, and show the strength !!!
@Tahir: The difference is India does not have to BEG for them, they go to Bazaar and Buy them !!!!
@Althar: So being Islamic Nation and being Muslims, Pakistan supported China in their killing field!!! So that entitles you for AID from them??? You really need help!!! As you yourself have stated as to your actions against fellow Muslims !!! To top it all you would like the Chinese to give you Aid for such acts !!!!!!! This really speaks volumes for the Reputation of Pakistan and its People !!!
@Amjad: "Does this surprise anyone? The Indians are the ones who used Western donated nuclear aid for civilian use and made nuclear weapons. They started the missile race in South Asia. They waste billions on military purchases to terrorise occupied Kashmir and this Indian guy talks about the balance of military in South Asia?" Yet, all wars in South Asia were started by Pakistan for which it got its comeuppance. Now, should that surprise anyone? Yes, only those who don't know Islam from close quarters.
@ba ha: "US PAKISTAN RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE CASH & CARRY" Didn't happen in the F16 deal! You got soy beans for your cash, after you had paid the parking charges for those fighter jets which you never got!
@Blithe: "I don’t know what equilibrium Krishna I’d talking about!" Tomorrow, Maldives can ask the same question. Wouldn't that be laughable? "Equilibrium" that Mr. Krishna is talking about is between those who belong to the same league. Apparently, you and we don't! That is the problem. Pakistan just can't stop pretending that it counts. Look at the whole comical concept of "strategic depth" which has now gone bust! Stick to "apne auqat", as someone pointed on another forum!
@Althar. You are trying to say your country has the right to beg and ask for aid from China becasue you supported Chinese massacre of Xingiang muslims. Oh, what a great statement and finally the truth is coming out. I think most Pakistanis used to feel the same about getting Aid from USA and having it diverted to build nuclear and conventional arsenal to arm against India. That is what your former General said. I cannot disagree with him.
@Frank: Pakistan is going to Implode from within, Frank ! No one has to do this dirty deed !! Trust me !! You have right mindset personal to achieve the Goal !!! Its called Lack of Vision or Care for the Nation or its People !!! Show me what the Ruling Class or the Army has actually done for the People of Pakistan,, since Independance, except losing half of the country, and bringing mayham and havoc to its towns and cities on unprecedented basis, that sadly its not even newsworthy item, unless 100s are killed by such acts !!! ???? Its absolutely tragic that the remaining Intelligentsia is reluctant to voice their concerns as to where the Country is heading!!!
@M. A. Changezi: err, how did India acquired the bomb? Seems you know the history well.
For a change India is in agreement. So glad to see India happy. Now India can keep on tilting the balance in the region in its favour with arms, nuclear submarines, proxy wars and ofcourse the great world wide propaganda machine working hard to downgrade Pakistan. How much more does India want? Yes, it has also ruined the US economy by stealing the jobs from the US and prospering at their expense. India is killing two birds with one stone. India must be a world power!!!! WOW!!
@M. A. Changezi:
If you say "Kashmir valley" is volatile; I would agree because it is a FACT... (also remember, that Kashmir valley is only a tiny part of the state of Jammu & Kashmir)
I am at a loss of understanding as to how mentioning all the north-eastern states of India corroborates your "misleading hypothesis" that India is unstable.
If by some vague phantasmagorical delusion you are assuming there is instability in all these states and Punjab: I will only say that I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.
Stop reading "propaganda material distributed by charlatan defense analysts" which only hinders a person's intellectual progress...
India is happy, but so is Ghairat brigade.
@M. A. Changezi Khalistan., Assam, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh Do these names ring a bell? blah blah.... -what????!!!! what is your problem man??!!!!!!!! they all are indian states, except your khalistan, which is a dying or a dead chicken. answer for khalistan is plss check indian army, count the number of our proud Sikhs and enjoy. are you acting like a fool or really are you? another graduate from zaid hamid international college
Pakistan army does not need more US aid to fight our biggest enemies the terrorists and fundamentalists. For both who are for and against the US aid, we can agree that the aid was not benefitting the common people. The F-16 and other expensive toys cannot even keep us safe from everyday bombings Pakistan needs aid only in the form of goods (so the corruption is min) the areas of education, healthcare, agriculture, power production, and other civic areas. That way people would see the US aid in action and the hate would be reduced. The military aid has no use for common Pakistanis and only creates hatred toward the US.
Mukesh Ambani's statement: I just hate charity from western people, they are making our people sit on benches and do nothing. I request government to stop western charities, in this way our people will find ways to live, and make India rise and rise."
Trust me, this is really positive thing for our country too. But for that, GoP has to ensure that in order to earn money no one gets their hands on arms, which is a norm in our country.
@M. A. Changezi: tell me which part of world you see balance?
@Frank: Indian army defeated your army 4 times buit never ruled pakistan can you explain me why?
@buttjee: You said "Instead of resolving the mutual disputes through dialogue, India has always opted a policy of keeping Pakistan a weak and destabilized state, so that they can dictate their terms for conflict resolution." Explain the respective events in history with with time period and action. You said "This is what they are doing to Pakistan from Afghan soil. Their efforts to secure a position in post war Afghanistan are also aimed at triggering separatist movements in KPK and Baluchistan." if you have any proof go to UN and give them the proof just like India does in case of terrorist organisation. You said "India would like to see Pakistan as its client state" India is not superpower like US so no question of client relation.
@ from India .. Comprehension problem eh? Postman is on about 'imbalance'. I hope you get it right this time.
@PostMan:
India is purchasing all its defence requirements and paying for them. They are not FREEBEES.
@woohoo
"Pot calling the kettle black"
India has a space program yet cannot be bothered to feed its poor and heavily rely upon UK and other wealthy countries to survive.
What Pakistani wants?Whether Indian should be happy when any country gives free Weapon to its enemy?Are you guys sane? whether you will be happy if somebody gives free Pistol to your enemy to kill you? If not,then why you want India and Indians to be happy with such situation?
this will severely affect Pakistan's economy which is already in deep trouble. But US had no option as this money was used by Pakistani Army to fund terrorism in India.
for God sake India, take a side from our issues. Focus on yours merely.
I am not surprised to see the Indian reaction to America's suspension of Pakistan's military assistance. India has always been opposing such steps which were aimed at improving Pakistan's defensive capability. Instead of resolving the mutual disputes through dialogue, India has always opted a policy of keeping Pakistan a weak and destabilized state, so that they can dictate their terms for conflict resolution. This is what they are doing to Pakistan from Afghan soil. Their efforts to secure a position in post war Afghanistan are also aimed at triggering separatist movements in KPK and Baluchistan. There should be no doubt in any body's mind that India is a hegemonic power and in spite of their recent statements that they would like to turn a new chapter in India-Pakistan relations, India would like to see Pakistan as its client state. As a Pakistani I am quite confident that suspension of US aid is not the end of the world. There are innumerable sources of weapons in the world and Pakistan should work hard to reduce its dependence on United States. The US has time and again proved to be an unreliable partner. The brighter side of this development is that the US influence on Pakistan Army will now be reduced considerably. Pakistan should now fix its own priorities and conduct its military operations purely in accordance with its own national security interests.
@Amjad: " Indians are the ones who used Western donated nuclear aid for civilian use and made nuclear weapons"
Where are you getting your facts from? India was never given military aid in its hostory - let alone nuclear aid
@Althar..
You are the most shameless man i had ever come across... You like to kill your own for someone's money and friendship.. Whats the difference between you and your army??
Many of the Indian commentators here are ignorant of the facts.
Military equipment like the f-16s and the assorted missile package were BOUGHT with our own money, they weren't purchased with military aid.
A small amount of the military aid is used to support troops in the WOT - a MAJORITY of it is used to fund day-to-day govt spending, to reduce the deficit.
Don't believe me? Look it up.
Let's be honest with ourselves my fellow Pakistanis. An armed India is NOT a threat because they will NEVER attack Pakistan. However, an armed Pakistan IS a threat not only to herself but to everyone else in the region.
All reasoning in India-Pakistan matters is burnt on the altar of jingoism. What Indian foreign minister is welcoming is military aid to Pakistan, which even Gen.Musharraf has admitted, is diverted to fight India. Now I want to ask the Pakistanis that which country in the world would like it's adversary getting deadly weapons for free all in the name of fighting terror? What has F-16's and Harpoon Missiles have to do with terror? If Pakistan buys all these weapons, like India does, then we will have no problem. But it really pinches that India buys necessary weapons by paying hard cash only to see Pakistan getting those weapons as a part of military aid. Develop your economy, pay for your weapons and then only "Expensive Toys will look good in the hands of your Military Boys".
For 'equilibrium' read 'hegemony'.
While Pakistanis and Pakistani leaders have been chest thumping to get the US aid stopped, they are not really happy that it stopped because India is happy that the US military aid is suspended. What a perverted mind set. Are all these chest thumping Pakistanis working to make India happy?????
Dear Pakistani liberals, the Indian definition of 'equilibrium' is a Pakistan crushed into subservience. I hope you are all having a nice day in La La Land. :)
Mr. Krishna, you are not alone, many Pakistanis have also joined your bandwagon.
@syed Imran: India spends around USD 40 bio on her defense budget - this is equivalent to Pakistan's overall budget.
I don't know what equilibrium Krishna I'd talking about!
Another point: pakistan is a nuclear country, which also can deploy tactical nuclear weapons. We don't need to get into an arms race. We can even theoritically depoloy tactical nuclear weapons on an advancing column of Indian tanks.
We need to balance our budget. Our debt to GDP is too high and we should actually be cutting the defense budget.
personally I don't beleive anything I read on newspapers and everything I see on T.V when people like Mr.Krishna makes remarks like that then it doesn't really help the cause on either side. the U.S is used to throwing money at dictators in the Muslim world and dont care about democracy so long as the allies obide by them.
Thank God this wicked aid has been stopped.
Pakistan must stand on its own two feet.
Let Indians be happy!!! They deserve U.S.A & vice versa.
@syed Imran:
We buy them with our money. How about Pakistan?
Whether India is "happy" or makes philosophical comments- it does not matter.
This is the on going HBO special of two drug addicts - Pakistan and USA. Both are fatally obsessed with each other - like heroin addicts. Neither likes the other but can't let go either! Relax. Aid will flow again and soon.
@Aamir:
Sir, beggars can't be choosers!!
If it is only meant for the cause to fight terrorism then it is US treachery, or if the portion of this aid goes to the corrupted military / political mafia then it is good that the aid is stopped. Give that aid to India, they need it more.
Indians are happy because they wanted from very long to divert this "aid".
Please do more Aman ki Ahsa...haha..lol...
Pakistan is happy, India is happy and the US is happy with the cut in aid. This is a win-win-win situation.
India has to be happy, it means American tax payer money will be used to open more jobs which will get India more work visa's so yeah ! Makes sense !
IF AMERICA LEAVES AFGHANISTAN NO AID IS NECESSARY ANYWAY. US PAKISTAN RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE CASH & CARRY -NO AID
Until Pakistan stands on its own feet it will be pushed on all international forums - Pakistan needs to understand this fact to gain self-respect.
what a hipocracy. India spends ten times more on arm purchases,the recent being a 10 billion on aircrafts.
It is not only India who welcomes. Nawaz shrif,Imran Khan and Munawar Hasan are in the same boat.
@PostMan:
There's a huge difference between a stable, responsible country being heavily armed and an unstable, unpredictable, chaotic country being heavily armed...
Remember A Q Khan? He who leaked nuclear weaponry technology to Iran, N. Korea and possibly to 2 other rogue states???
Does this surprise anyone? The Indians are the ones who used Western donated nuclear aid for civilian use and made nuclear weapons. They started the missile race in South Asia. They waste billions on military purchases to terrorise occupied Kashmir and this Indian guy talks about the balance of military in South Asia? Pakistan is better off without any aid because it forces the nation to be self sufficient like when it developed fighter planes and nuclear weapons to defend itself from an aggressive India which is setting up terrorist camps in Afghanistan. In the long run we know the West will just use Pakistan and abandon it like what happended when Pak defeated the Soviets in Afghanistan and was left to clean up the mess. Now I hope all of the leadership wakes up to the reality that we need to take care of ourselves only.
Pakistan also welcomes this step, at last pakistan and india agree on something :-)
Well, I think all Pakistanis should welcome this suspension also, considering what this aid had truely 'cost' us in terms of towing the American line. Krishna seems to be a well-wisher of Pakistan to the extent of welcoming this suspension, but only if his reasons for it were right. 'heavily arming the region?', that sounds diabolical considering it was Mr. Krishna's country that plunged this region into nuclear armaments...No? I'm sick to the gut with Indian government's hypocrisy. Krishna needs to go back to history books on South Asian armament & militarization. The change in balance of power is fine if it moves in India's favor and not so otherwise...Please stop sounding like as if you're taking a moral position in foreign affairs and are very concerned about weaponization. In any case you have 4 times more weapons than us in relative terms! Nevertheless, I'll be happy to wrest back some level of policy-making powers from vested interests with this suspension of 'unholy aid'.
@ postman - there is a difference between aid and purchase...while pakistan is always granted with military equipments, india on the other hand, purchases them.
"which will upset the equilibrium in the region itself,” What about India spending $70 billion on arms in the next 2 years.
...what a relief....its high time the US stopped spoon-feeding the white elephant from Pakistan...its army
China MUST give us Aid. We, being a Islamic country supported china during the Xinjiang Massacre of muslims when the whole world was condemning them! China must open its borders to pakistani's so both the countries can become stronger. China must provide atleast 3 Billion in aid. This is the test for their friendship. Also, there must be cultural exchanges between countries & we can export our Islamic culture to them! Inshallah, we'll surely win & a bright future ahead.
It is indeed a good decision by the US.
hmm, somehow not surprising....
An Excellent step by USA. Well said by INDIA but indian better start looking into its own collar now. The ignorant leadership (civilian in india and military in pak) of INDIA and PAK has drowned the hopes of 1.5 billion people in two countries. Shame on you
India must be very happy
When Pakistani people are welcoming it and Pakistan military say that it does not effect them deeply and they can do their job on their own ; when some reporter ask him question about it and he replied that he welcomed it then I think this is not a big story at all.
“It is not desirable that this region had to be heavily armed by the US, which will upset the equilibrium in the region itself,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said'
And then Indians claim to be the most fair and unbiased people in the world ?? If you want to know meaning of the word 'Hypocrisy' visit India or befriend an Indian. If we carry a knife it creates imbalance in the region if you buy a depot of sophisticated weapons that does not ? I wonder who are you fooling this double standard only creates hatred?
The Headlines of the article is wrong. Mr. Krishna has welcomed the suspension of military aid and not the civilian aid for developement. It is evident from the article itself.
I request ET to kindly correct the headlines.
why India here, even most of pakis welcomes this suspension of aid, look @ the comment made by pakis yesterday, today....
I understand India being pleased at suspension of US assistance to Pakistan but why use the statement of 'It is not desirable that this region had to be heavily armed by the US, which will upset the equilibrium in the region itself' while you yourself go for nuclear missile based submarines. Is it not hypocritical?
somebody tell Mr. Krishna about the unilateral India-Us nuclear deal and I think Mr. Krishna needs to revise his concepts about "Equilibrium".
While i'm glad that the aid is being cut-off, this is just LOL worthy:
“It is not desirable that this region had to be heavily armed by the US, which will upset the equilibrium in the region itself,”
Don't care about India's reaction but I'm glad that they have stopped the aid money; at least this will give us an opportunity to start relying on our own resources, let’s break the begging bowl and show some self-dignity.
Makes us Pakistanis feel very small!
Rather than the suspension it should be stoppage of the Military Aid. India is not against the civilian aid and other helping hand extended to IDP's by the US.
@ ET
Please change the title as "India welcomes US suspending military aid to Pakistan"
if you really think about it with an open mind...the US has become part of the problem.. not the solution...