Does the United States of America listen to itself? Perhaps not, if the US government's decision to sell a batch of eight F-16s to Pakistan is any indication. Several American government officials have openly condemned Pakistan for rearing snakes in its backyard. The US government has been stung by Pakistan's duplicity innumerable times as its cherished ally against terror sheltered and used jihadists to defeat the US's counter-terror operations in Afghanistan while proffering to support the mission. The mastermind of 9/11 - Osama bin Laden - was ultimately smoked out from Pakistan, and the latter continues to increase nuclear arms within its borders and beyond with impunity. The US has been aware of the Pakistan army's mission to terrorize Pakistan's neighbours, particularly India. Following the Pathankot attack, no less a person than President Barack Obama acknowledged that India has endured terror for too long and said that Pakistan "can and must" act against terrorist groups operating from its soil. And yet, his administration has gone on to do exactly the opposite of what his tough talk tried to convey to Pakistan - that Pakistan will have to pay for promoting or failing to discourage terror networks, or for encouraging nuclear proliferation. The US government has dangled this threat before Pakistan every time while delaying or dithering over the release of economic and military aid to Pakistan. It had earlier suspended the sale of F-16s on grounds of Pakistan's non-compliance with its demands. Strangely, such disciplining has been set aside, and that too in the face of obvious indications that Pakistan has failed to shut down its terror factory, especially that which works against its neighbours.

The US's impending sale of the fighter jets - for which Pakistan will pay from the aid money - shows that it is still vulnerable to Pakistan's blackmailing tactics. Pakistan holds foreign military supplies integral to its success in counter-terror operations at home. It has also punished the US for its erratic aid by moving closer to both China and Russia. Inching closer to the drawdown in Afghanistan, the Obama administration is once again seeking to placate Pakistan and retain its own strategic interests in the region. It is obvious that India's fears that the guns and jets might target Pakistan's eastern neighbour do not worry it much.