India-US relations: News and Discussions IV

[putnanja]

Ambassador Sergio Gor tweets:

President Trump spoke with Prime Minister Modi this morning. A GREAT call between two friends. Prime Minister @narendramodi reiterated his support for the President’s efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.
11:31 AM · Dec 11, 2025

PM Modi:

Had a very warm and engaging conversation with President Trump. We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the U.S. will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity.

Notice how PM Mode doesn't mention "my friend President Trump" The posts about Netanyahu ealier had that, and even for earlier tweets with Trump.

[Rudradev]

Meanwhile - Despite Trump's threats, the Indiana State Senate has REJECTED the Trump-backed 9-0 gerrymandered map, leaving the existing 7-2 map in place.

This is because gerrymandering is a two-way street.

Say for example you have a total of 15 districts in which 4 are strongly leaning democrat and 11 are strongly leaning republican.

"Gerrymandering" means redrawing the boundaries of districts, to sometimes absurd extents, to achieve a greater number of districts that are statistically likely to vote for a member of your own party. So let's say in the example the republicans gerrymander the above 15 districts to leave only 2 leaning democrat.

It is not possible to do this without incorporating democrat-leaning populations into some of the 13 newly proposed districts which you expect to lean republican. That means that the 13 new districts will not be AS solidly republican-leaning as compared to the previous 11.

This is not a welcome development for local politicians who were accustomed to having 'safe' seats-- they previously had good equations and 'settings' with their constituents, but all of a sudden they have to work on a whole new constituency.

And at a time when the economy is in the toilet and the democrats are winning everywhere, it is enough to send the local republican politicians into panic mode.

[fanne]

Meanwhile: America approves a $686 million deal to upgrade Pakistan’s F16 fighter jets, reports Dawn (URL not given here)

it is for 92 f-16.TSP had acquired 72 or 75 minus at least 15 carshesh and destroyed so far. That means they are getting some 30s odd second hand planes

[SRajesh]

Any idea what is this news in TIOlet bandying some new club i.e., C5??
inclding RIC and US and a 'Fifth Horseman'!!!
Any truth to this or just some kite flying before the Trade pact

[g.sarkar]

https://www.rediff.com/news/special/us- ... 251212.htm
'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'
SYED FIRDAUS ASHRAF, December 12, 2025
Outside US consulates in India, a growing number of Indian H-1B workers can now be seen waiting with folders of documents, travel bags, and phones open on their visa portals.
What began as a steady trickle of disrupted appointments in early December has turned into a widespread wave of cancellations that has caught many professionals by surprise.
The H-1B visa allows American companies to hire foreign professionals for specialty jobs that require specific skills and is awarded to holders of bachelor's degree or higher.
It is one of the most commonly used visas in the technology, engineering, science, research and healthcare sectors.
Most of these Indian applicants had planned their trips months in advance, coordinating family visits, work leave, and international flights around tightly scheduled visa interviews for renewal.
Instead, many find themselves stranded in India, unable to return to their jobs in the United States because their appointments were abruptly cancelled by the US consulates or pushed far into the future.
For the affected workers, the problem isn't simply of delay. It is the suddenness, the lack of notice, and the uncertainty of when they will be able to resume their lives in the US.
The disruptions began almost immediately after the US state department introduced a new requirement for consular officers to review applicants' social media and online presence as part of the security vetting process.
American consulates across India appear to be adjusting at different speeds, resulting in inconsistent rescheduling decisions -- some pushing interviews by weeks, others by more than four months.
Raghav Subramani, a software engineer from San Diego, arrived in Chennai expecting a straightforward renewal. "I flew almost 20 hours to get here," Subramani tells Rediff. "At the airport, I saw an e-mail saying my appointment was cancelled."
"Now I have been given a new date which is in March. No explanation, nothing. It feels like my life has been paused without my consent," Subramani adds.
.......
Gautam

[A_Gupta]

https://www.congress.gov/congressional- ... le/S8544-2

Transmittal No. 22-08

Notice of Proposed Issuance of Letter of Offer Pursuant to
Section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act, as
amended
(i) Prospective Purchaser: Government of Pakistan.
(ii) Total Estimated Value:
Major Defense Equipment ^* $37 million.
Other $649 million.
Total $686 million.
Funding Source: National Funds.
(iii) Description and Quantity or Quantities of Articles or
Services under Consideration for Purchase:
Major Defense Equipment (MDE):
Ninety-two (92) Link-16 systems.
Six (6) Mk-82 inert 500-lb general purpose bomb bodies.
Non-Major Defense Equipment:
The following non-MDE items will also be included: aircraft
hardware and software modifications to support Operational
Flight Program and mandated avionics updates; AN/APX-126 (or
equivalent) Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF); KY-
58M and KIV-78 cryptographic appliques; AN/APQ-10C Simple Key
Loaders; additional secure communications, precision
navigation, and cryptographic devices and support; Joint
Mission Planning Systems and support; Common Munitions Built-
in-test Reprogramming Equipment; ADU-981 missile adaptor
units and other weapons integration, test, and support
equipment; spare and repair parts; software delivery and
support; publications and technical documentation; full
motion simulator, personnel training, and training equipment;
U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and
logistics support services; studies and surveys; and other
related elements of logistical and program support.
(iv) Military Department: Air Force (PK-D-VAA).
(v) Prior Related Cases, if any: None.
(vi) Sales Commission, Fee, etc., Paid, Offered, or Agreed
to be Paid: None known at this time.
(vii) Sensitivity of Technology Contained in the Defense
Article or Defense Services Proposed to be Sold: See Attached
Annex.
(viii) Date Report Delivered to Congress: December 4, 2025.
* As defined in Section 47(6) of the Arms Export Control
Act.

[A_Gupta]

POLICY JUSTIFICATION

Pakistan--F-16 Cryptographic Mandate Compliance and Service Life
Extension Program

The Government of Pakistan has requested to buy ninety-two
(92) Link-16 systems and six (6) Mk-82 inert 500-lb general
purpose bomb bodies. The following non-MDE items will also be
included: aircraft hardware and software modifications to
support Operational Flight Program and mandated avionics
updates; AN/APX-126 (or equivalent) Advanced Identification
Friend or Foe (AIFF); KY-58M and KIV-78 cryptographic
appliques; AN/APQ-10C Simple Key Loaders; additional secure
communications, precision navigation, and cryptographic
devices and support; Joint Mission Planning Systems and
support; Common Munitions Built-in-test Reprogramming
Equipment; ADU-981 missile adaptor units and other weapons
integration, test, and support equipment; spare and repair
parts; software delivery and support; publications and
technical documentation; full motion simulator, personnel
training, and training equipment; U.S. Government and
contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support
services; studies and surveys; and other related elements of
logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is
$686 million.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and
national security objectives of the United States by allowing
Pakistan to retain interoperability with U.S. and partner
forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation
for future contingency operations.
The proposed sale will maintain Pakistan's capability to
meet current and future threats by updating and refurbishing
its Block-52 and Mid Life Upgrade F-16 fleet. These updates
will provide more seamless integration and interoperability
between the Pakistan Air Force and the U.S. Air Force in
combat operations, exercises, and training, and refurbishment
will extend the aircraft life through 2040 while addressing
critical flight safety concerns. Pakistan has shown a
commitment to maintaining its military forces and will have
no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its
armed forces.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not
alter the basic military balance in the region.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Company,
located in Fort Worth, TX. At this time, the U.S. Government
is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection
with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be
defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the
contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the
assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor
representatives to Pakistan.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness
as a result of this proposed sale.

[A_Gupta]

Annex Item No. vii

(vii) Sensitivity of Technology:
1. The Link-16 is an advanced command, control,
communications, and intelligence (C31) system incorporating
high capacity, jam-resistant, digital communication links for
exchange of near real-time tactical information, including
both data and voice, among air, ground, and sea elements. It
provides the warfighter key theater functions such as
surveillance, identification, air control, weapons engagement
coordination, and direction for all services and allied
forces. With updated cryptography, Link-16 will ensure
interoperability into the future.
2. The Mk-82 inert general purpose bomb is a 500-lb, free-
fall, unguided, low-drag inert weapon used for integration
testing. There is no explosive fill.
3. The AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe
Combined Interrogator Transponder is a system capable of
transmitting and interrogating Mode 5.
4. The KY-58 and KIV-78 is a crypto applique for Mode 5
Identification Friend or Foe equipment. It can be loaded with
Mode 5 classified elements.
5. The AN/APQ-10C Simple Key Loader is a handheld fill
device for securely receiving, storing, and transferring data
between cryptographic and communications equipment.
6. The Joint Mission Planning System is a multi-platform
PC-based mission planning system.
7. The Common Munitions Built-In-Test Reprogramming
Equipment (CMBRE) testers and ADU-891 missile adaptors for
CMBRE testers are used to test the electronics in air-to-
ground munitions and air-to-air missiles.
8. The highest level of classification of defense articles,
components, and services included in this potential sale is
SECRET.
9. If a technologically advanced adversary were to obtain
knowledge of the specific hardware and software elements, the
information could be used to develop countermeasures that
might reduce weapon system effectiveness or be used in the
development of a system with similar or advanced
capabilities.
10. A determination has been made that Pakistan can provide
substantially the same degree of protection for the sensitive
technology being released as the U.S. Government. This sale
is necessary in furtherance of the U.S. foreign policy and
national security objectives outlined in the Policy
Justification.
11. All defense articles and services listed in this
transmittal have been authorized for release and export to
the Government of Pakistan.

[A_Gupta]

AI says: This is a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) package, meaning the US government facilitates the sale, but Pakistan procures and pays for the equipment and services, distinguishing it from direct grant aid.