Defence minister Rajnath Singh flags concern over US military aid to Pakistan in talks with Pete Hegseth

Rajnath Singh raised three connected concerns with Pete Hegseth. He questioned continuing US military support for Pakistan, Washington’s assistance for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, and the possibility that Islamabad could share advanced American technology with a third country. The article identifies China as the implied country.

The immediate example was a recently announced $686 million package to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. Singh also stressed that there should be no double standards on terrorism. India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of backing terrorism and wants countries that support, finance, or shelter terrorists held accountable.

The concerns were discussed while Singh and Hegseth reviewed the India-US defence framework. Both ministers also reaffirmed opposition to terrorism and support for deeper bilateral cooperation. The talks show that stronger India-US defence ties are unfolding alongside Indian scrutiny of US security assistance to Pakistan.

The F-16 upgrade package is a US-backed programme worth $686 million for Pakistan’s existing F-16 fighter fleet. The article does not list the specific equipment or capabilities included. It does establish that the package was recent and that India raised it directly with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Its importance for India comes from two concerns. First, US support improves the continued value of Pakistan’s F-16 force. Second, India fears that Pakistan could share advanced American technology with a third country, a veiled reference to China. Singh therefore linked the fighter upgrade to wider technology-security issues.

The discussion took place during broader talks on India-US defence cooperation. Singh and Hegseth reviewed their 10-year framework, while also discussing military technology, information sharing, supply chains, and co-production. The article gives no further technical details about the F-16 package.

The clearest figure in the article is the recent $686 million package supporting upgrades to Pakistan’s F-16 fighter fleet. It is described as a US military support package, but the article does not state that it represents all US military aid to Pakistan. That distinction matters when interpreting the scale of assistance.

The package became a point of concern because Singh raised it with Hegseth during their meeting. India also worried that Pakistan might share advanced American technology with a third country. The article presents China as the implied recipient, though it does not describe any confirmed transfer.

Separately, India and the US are working under a Major Defence Partnership Framework intended to guide cooperation for 10 years. Signed a year before the meeting, it provides shared policy direction for military technology, information sharing, co-production, exchanges, maritime security, and defence supply chains.

India’s concern is that advanced American technology supplied to Pakistan might not remain confined to Pakistan’s forces. The article describes a risk of Islamabad sharing that technology with a “third country,” a veiled reference to China. Such sharing could affect the security value and control of US-origin systems.

The issue arose alongside the $686 million upgrade package for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet. India also questioned broader US military aid to Pakistan. Singh’s objection therefore covered both the direct effect of stronger Pakistani capabilities and the possibility of sensitive technology reaching another state.

The article does not report that a transfer has occurred. It presents the concern as a risk raised in diplomatic talks. The issue could complicate US defence support for Pakistan while India and the US deepen cooperation in military technology, information sharing, co-production, and regional maritime security.

The US-India Major Defence Partnership Framework is a 10-year arrangement that gives both countries a shared vision and policy direction for defence cooperation. It marks a new phase in their bilateral relationship and is intended to organise practical cooperation over the coming decade.

The framework covers strategic convergence in military technology, information sharing, and co-production. The defence ministry also said discussions included military-to-military exchanges, maritime security collaboration, and stronger defence supply chains. These areas connect policy commitments with operational contact and industrial cooperation.

Singh and Hegseth reviewed progress under the framework during their meeting in the Philippines. Singh described it as driving strategic convergence, while Hegseth said they explored ways to strengthen cooperation after its one-year anniversary. The framework is therefore active, not merely a statement of long-term intent.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus is a regional defence forum that brings together ASEAN members and major dialogue partners. The article calls the ADMM the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN, while ADMM-Plus extends that cooperation to eight additional countries.

The 11 ASEAN members include the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and others. Its eight dialogue partners are India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Their participation creates a shared setting for defence ministers to consult and cooperate across regional security issues.

The 13th ADMM-Plus was hosted by the Philippines in Cebu from October 28 to 29. Singh attended the meeting and was scheduled to address it on Thursday. He also held separate talks with defence counterparts from Japan, Australia, South Korea, and other countries.

Military partnerships shape regional security by linking countries’ forces, industries, and policies. Regular exchanges build familiarity, while shared technology and information can improve coordination. Co-production and reliable supply chains also help partners sustain defence capabilities instead of depending on uncertain access.

The article gives a concrete example in the India-US framework. It combines military technology, information sharing, co-production, military-to-military exchanges, maritime security, and defence supply chains. These mechanisms can make cooperation more practical and durable because they connect battlefield knowledge, industrial capacity, and long-term planning.

The balance of power can also be affected when a country receives military support or advanced technology. India’s concern about Pakistan’s F-16 upgrades and possible technology sharing with China shows how one partnership can influence wider trust. The article indicates that India and the US intend to deepen cooperation while monitoring these regional security risks.