Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden
Pentagon, the headquarters of the US Defense Ministry, has said that defense relations between India and America are progressing brilliantly and strongly. This statement from Pentagon has come at a time when the reins of power are about to pass from the hands of President Joe Biden to newly elected President Donald Trump. “The US-India defense relationship is strong,” Eli Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, told reporters here. These relations span defense industrial base cooperation as well as operational cooperation across services and are progressing rapidly in spectacular ways.”
In response to a question, Ratner said, “There are ups and downs in India-China relations, but India-US defense relations are continuously moving forward.” America considers India as its major defense partner. Biden administration officials have described defense relations as one of the key pillars of this partnership.
Pakistan’s ballistic missile program an emerging threat
A top White House official on Thursday said Pakistan’s development of advanced missile technology will give it the ability to strike outside South Asia, including the US. He said the Asian country’s actions are an emerging threat to America. The comments by the top White House official came a day after the US imposed sanctions on four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned premier aerospace and defense agency National Development Complex (NDC).
Ban imposed on these institutions
These institutions are accused of contributing to Pakistan’s ballistic-missile program. The other three entities are Akhtar & Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International and Rockside Enterprises. All three are based in Karachi and the NDC in Islamabad is responsible for the ballistic-missile programme. It has acquired items to further Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile programme.
Biden government imposed three-phase restrictions
Principal Deputy National Security Adviser John Finer told a think-tank “The Biden administration has taken a number of steps to address the further development of long-range missile systems. Last year, we provided support to Pakistan’s ballistic-missile program. Imposed three rounds of sanctions on non-Pakistani entities. Yesterday, we issued direct sanctions against Pakistan’s state-owned National Development Complex, which the United States assesses is involved in the development of Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles. And “This is the first time we have imposed sanctions on a Pakistani state-owned enterprise involved in missile development.”
Pressure will remain on Pakistan
“Simply put, we will continue to keep pressure on Pakistan regarding its long-range missile program, while also working to address our concerns,” Finer said in remarks to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a top US think-tank. We will also continue to look for a diplomatic solution.” In his recent remarks, Finer said that Pakistan has continuously developed missile technology. It has built everything from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that will enable the testing of much larger rocket motors. If these trends continue, Pakistan will have the capability to attack targets beyond South Asia, including the United States, raising real questions about Pakistan’s intentions.”
Only three countries can launch missile attack on America
Finer said the list of countries with nuclear weapons and missile capability to directly reach the United States is too short (Russia, North Korea, and China) and they are hostile to the United States. “We have been long-standing partners with Pakistan on development, counter-terrorism and other security issues, including highly sensitive issues,” Finer said. want cooperative relations in the regions. This makes us even more suspicious as to why Pakistan would be motivated to develop a capability that could be used against us. Unfortunately, we believe that Pakistan is formally, taking seriously the concerns of others in the international community has failed to take from and continue to advance these capabilities.”
Pakistan can become a big threat
“Just looking at the map and the boundaries, we believe it’s basically focused on us,” Finer said in response to a question. “I think that’s the conclusion based on the information we’ve got and that’s why “That’s a matter of such great concern. Because the United States cannot sit back and watch the development of this capability, which we think could ultimately pose a threat in the future.” (Input- PTI)
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