'It's Disturbing,' Pakistan Spooked After India's Rafale Acquisition, Says 'Disproportionate Arms Buildup'

The Rafale fighter jets have provided the much needed muscle to the Indian Air Force, drawing concerned reactions from both the tumultuous neighbors China and Pakistan.

Visual of first batch of five Rafale fighter aircraft before flying out from Merignac, France to India. Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in over two decades, and they are expected to significantly boost the Indian Air Force's combat capabilities. (Twitter/ @Indian_Embassy)

New Delhi: The arrival of the Rafale jets in India, has spooked Pakistan which is now accusing India of a disproportionate arms buildup. The Rafale fighter jets have provided the much needed muscle to the Indian Air Force, drawing concerned reactions from both the tumultuous neighbors China and Pakistan. A day after the arrival of the jets in Haryana’s Ambala, Islamabad expressed worries while Beijing cautioned against the aggressive posturing by New Delhi. The spokesperson for the Pakistan Foreign Office, Aisha Farooqui, on Thursday, alleged India of disproportionate arms build-up, adding that it could also lead to an arms race in South Asia. She urged the international community to "dissuade" India from its "disproportionate" arms build-up. "We have seen reports of recent acquisition of Rafale jets by Indian Air Force,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said at her weekly press briefing here. "It is disturbing to note that India continues to amass military capabilities beyond its genuine security requirement," she said. "Transfer of advanced systems, where there is an open intention of conversion into nuclear delivery platforms, calls into question the commitment of international suppliers to non-proliferation commitments,” she said. "While remaining opposed to any arms race in South Asia, Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to these developments and remains confident of its ability to thwart any ill-considered act of aggression,” she added. It is to be noted that since 1997 when the Sukhoi Su-30 jets were imported from Russia, Rafale Jets are India’s first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 years. Meanwhile, when quizzed on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remark “forces that intend to threaten India's territorial integrity need to be careful now,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China hops the remarks of relevant people in India can benefit regional peace & stability.