F-16 sale to Pakistan 'part of legacy announcement': US ambassador to India

Mumbai: 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.