India raises alarm over US military support to Pakistan with Pentagon chief

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged India's concerns regarding United States military assistance to Pakistan in a bilateral meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, sources said. Singh specifically raised the issue of Pakistan's F-16 combat aircraft upgrade programme and alleged technology-sharing arrangements involving a third country, reflecting New Delhi's broader apprehensions about defence aid to its neighbour.

The two defence ministers reviewed the India-US defence framework during the talks, underscoring the bilateral military relationship between the two democracies. The discussion came as the Trump administration has signalled continuity in security support to Pakistan as part of regional counter-terrorism operations.

India has historically expressed concerns about military aid flowing to Pakistan, citing Islamabad's alleged support for cross-border militant activities. The F-16 upgrade programme has been a particular focus of Indian scrutiny, with New Delhi viewing advanced fighter jets as a destabilising factor in South Asia. Singh's intervention during the high-level meeting signals India's intention to maintain diplomatic pressure on the issue.

The bilateral defence engagement reflects the strategic importance the United States places on its military ties with India, even as it continues selective support to Pakistan. Both countries are expected to deepen defence cooperation across multiple domains in coming months.