The Pakistan air force will not receive eight new-generation F-16 combat jets for a song, 699 million dollars. It shows that global capitals are miffed at the country’s behaviour. The US administration had approved the sale in February. The jets had to be largely paid for with US military aid. The US Congress was however concerned that the jets may be used against India rather than terrorists. Pakistan’s failure to deliver Taliban terrorists operating from its territory against Afghanistan was another factor. A terrible terrorist attack in Kabul confirmed fears. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has declared that his government does not wish to seek Pakistan’s help to have a dialogue with the Taliban. India is unhappy about Islamabad’s attitude on various grounds.
There has been more reflective diplomacy against Pakistan of late as proved by the backing off on the F16 deal. Pakistan was trying to use its alliance with the US to secure nuclear weapons and go for proxy war through jihadists. 9/11 ensured impunity from sanctions. The thing is that such machinations have thrown doubt on Pakistan’s policy prerogatives. There is widespread belief that Pakistan encourages state sponsorship of anti-Indian militancy. At the same time, both Rawalpindi and Islamabad claim that their own people are in danger, especially with the ISIS threats. Pakistan’s illusion that China will be a military and economic patron is wiped out by recent developments. With China moving out of Islamabad’s fond calculations, Islamabad had better rethink is neighbourhood policy, especially directed towards New Delhi.