Pakistan has opened a massive $250mn credit line for supplying military equipment, including many offensive weapon systems such as tanks.
NEW DELHI: Pakistan has opened a massive $250 million credit line for supplying Sri Lankan military equipment, including many offensive weapon systems such as tanks, say authoritative sources. The figure contradicts recent reports about Pakistan providing around $50 million military assistance to Lanka.
Indian sources insist that an eager Pakistan is stepping it up to $250 million, raising several new uncomfortable questions for India. The report comes at a time when India is worriedly looking at Pakistan planning to gift two of its old submarines to Bangladesh. With China too exhibiting interest in cultivating India’s neighbourhood, New Delhi has a much more complex region to deal with.
Sources said the surge in Pakistan’s military assistance to Sri Lanka has happened because of the personal interest taken by Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Bashir Wali, a former director of Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau.
Among the new items that Pakistan could supply through the $250 million credit line include 40 tanks, and many other offensive systems, sources said. Publicly known demand from Sri Lanka’s Army has only been for about $20 million worth from Pakistan.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has requirement worth $38.1 million, according to a recent report by London-based Jane’s Defence Weekly. The magazine also spoke of only about $60 million worth military assistance from Pakistan to Sri Lanka. The Army has asked for 10 Baktar Shikan anti-tank guided missile weapon systems, 300 standard/tandem warheads and two training simulators.
India has received requests for such assistance from Sri Lanka in the past. But fear of hurting Tamil sentiments and getting mangled in island nation’s fortunes has kept India away. India’s reluctance to assist the island nation has led to both China and Pakistan taking much more interest in the military affairs of the turbulent nation.
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