Describing the US' controversial sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan as "part of a legacy announcement", American Ambassador to India Richard Verma on Sunday said his country expects Islamabad to do "more" on eliminating terror safe havens on its soil.
"Over the years, our equipment (sale) to Pakistan have been a mix of civilian and military equipment. (The latest decision on F-16 aircraft) is part of a legacy announcement," he said during interaction at the CNN Asia Business Forum organised as part of ongoing 'Make in India' week here.
"The reality is that there are dangerous groups operating within Pakistan," Verma said.
Islamabad needs to act against terror groups operating on its soil, the US envoy maintained. "More action needs to be taken by Pakistan on terror groups. Safe havens need to be eliminated."
Verma's comments came a day after the Obama administration notified the US Congress of its decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan worth nearly USD 700 million.
lauding the Narendra Modi government, Verma said there has been "substantial progress" in India in the last two years.
Among the challenges before India were those of rapid urbanisation and tackling climate change, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, George Yeo of Kerry logistics Networks expressed optimism that any future India-China conflict won't get out of control.
"There may be scars of the 1962 war (with China) on Indian psyche but in China it is almost forgotten," Yeo said.
The US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, was summoned Saturday to the External Affairs Ministry, where Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar conveyed India’s displeasure with the deal. The External Affairs Ministry said in a statement that India was disappointed with the decision of the Obama administration to sell the fighter jets to Pakistan and its justification that it will help efforts to fight terrorism.
“We disagree with their rationale that such arms transfers help combat terrorism,” the statement said. “The record of the last many years in this regard speaks for itself.” India is worried that arming Pakistan with advanced fighters jets will tilt the military balance in the region. Washington believes Pakistan’s strategic location next to Afghanistan makes it a useful ally in the war against global terrorism despite Pakistan allowing many militant groups to operate out of its territory.