ISLAMABAD: Pakistan described on Thursday the US’ decision to sell an integrated air defence weapons system to India as “disturbing” and warned it would further destabilise the already volatile region.

Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said the sale of such “sophisticated weapons to India will disturb the strategic balance in South Asia with security implications for Pakistan and the region”. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump’s administration had cleared the sale of the highly sophisticated system to New Delhi for an estimated $1.86 billion (about Rs 13,254 crore) to modernise its armed forces.

“Defence relations between the US and India are contributing to the destabilisation of peace and security in South Asia,” the FO spokesperson said. “South Asia cannot afford an arms race and conflict.”

