India Watches Closely as US Deepens Defence and Minerals Cooperation With Pakistan
A renewed phase of cooperation between the United States and Pakistan is drawing close attention in New Delhi, as Washington moves to strengthen defence ties and expand engagement in critical minerals projects with Islamabad. While US officials have sought to reassure India that the shift does not undermine their strategic partnership, the developments have nonetheless stirred unease among Indian policymakers and analysts.
At the heart of the renewed engagement is Washington’s approval of hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrades for Pakistan’s ageing fleet of F 16 fighter jets. The modernization programme is intended to extend the operational life of the aircraft and improve their performance through updated systems and maintenance support. US officials say the upgrades are focused on ensuring safety and interoperability rather than altering the regional military balance, but the move has inevitably raised concerns in India, which has long viewed US military assistance to Pakistan with suspicion.
Alongside defence cooperation, the United States has also signaled strong interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector. Washington has opened the door to more than one billion dollars in financing to support US companies involved in critical minerals projects in the country. These minerals, which are essential for technologies such as batteries, renewable energy systems, and advanced electronics, have become a strategic priority for the US as it seeks to diversify supply chains away from heavy reliance on China.
For Pakistan, the renewed engagement offers both economic and diplomatic opportunities. The country has struggled with foreign exchange shortages and sluggish growth, and foreign investment in minerals could provide a much needed boost. Islamabad has welcomed the US interest as a sign of renewed confidence and an opportunity to position itself as a partner in global supply chains for strategic resources.
The shift also marks the most significant warming in US Pakistan relations since Donald Trump returned to the White House. This contrasts sharply with his first term in office, when Washington froze security assistance to Pakistan and publicly accused it of failing to act decisively against militant groups. At that time, ties between the two countries reached one of their lowest points in decades.
US officials now argue that reengaging Pakistan is necessary to advance broader regional stability and economic goals. They have emphasized that cooperation with Islamabad does not come at the expense of relations with India, which Washington continues to describe as a key strategic partner in the Indo Pacific. American diplomats have privately and publicly reassured New Delhi that the F 16 upgrades are limited in scope and defensive in nature.
Despite these assurances, Indian analysts say perceptions matter as much as policy details. India and Pakistan remain bitter rivals, and any enhancement of Pakistan’s military capabilities tends to attract scrutiny in New Delhi. There is also concern that deeper US involvement in Pakistan’s mineral sector could give Islamabad additional geopolitical leverage at a time of shifting regional alignments.
The developments reflect the complex balancing act Washington faces in South Asia. As it seeks to counter China’s influence, secure critical resources, and maintain stability in a volatile region, the US is recalibrating relationships that had previously cooled. For India, the challenge will be assessing whether these moves represent a short term tactical adjustment by Washington or a more lasting shift in regional strategy.
As US Pakistan cooperation expands, both New Delhi and Islamabad will be closely watching how far the reset goes and what it means for the future balance of power in South Asia.
