The Pakistan F-16 support package cleared by Washington came up on Wednesday when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Cebu, Philippines. Singh raised India's concerns over the package during the bilateral meeting, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Cross-border terrorism was also discussed. Hegseth reaffirmed Washington's support to India in fighting it.

India flags the Pakistan F-16 support package

The package is meant to keep the Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fleet flying and up to date. The most recent large one was notified to the US Congress in December 2025. Valued at around $686 million, it covers Link-16 data links, cryptographic equipment, avionics upgrades, training and logistics support. According to reports at the time, it would keep the fleet in service until 2040.

Hegseth heads the US Department of War, the name the Pentagon has carried since September 2025.

Zero tolerance for states that back terror groups

Singh called for a zero-tolerance approach towards countries that support, train or finance terrorist organisations. He thanked the US for the consistent support it has extended in India's fight against cross-border terrorism.

Major Defence Partnership and ten-year framework reviewed

According to the Ministry of Defence, the meeting gave both sides a chance to review progress under the India-US Major Defence Partnership. This covered the implementation of the foundational security agreements, along with ways to improve operational readiness, share technology and bring the two defence industries closer together.

The two Ministers also reviewed the 10-year India-US Defence Framework. Military-to-military exchanges, maritime security cooperation and resilient defence supply chains were discussed.

Talks fall close to the framework's first anniversary

The framework was signed in Kuala Lumpur on 31 October 2025. In a post on X after the Cebu meeting with Hegseth, Singh described the robust India-US partnership as a cornerstone of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific.

Rajnath Singh and Koizumi review India-Japan ties

Separately, Singh held talks with Shinjiro Koizumi, who heads Japan's Ministry of Defense. The two reviewed progress in bilateral defence cooperation since their meeting in August.

Maritime security took up a large part of the discussion. The two sides talked about building up mine countermeasure capabilities and exploring joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, combining Japan's technological expertise with India's manufacturing capabilities. Air force cooperation was also on the agenda.

Japanese fighter aircraft came to India for the first time this year, for Exercise Veer Guardian 26 at Air Force Station Jodhpur in September. Both sides discussed expanding that cooperation.

The Ministers welcomed the India-Japan Defence Industry Forum in Tokyo, which drew around 40 companies.

Both agreed to speed up preparations for the fourth India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) and the Defence Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo later this year. Singh said the partnership was vital for a free, open and peaceful Indo-Pacific.