Despite continuing tensions with India and ongoing internal conflicts, Pakistan arms imports decreased by 36% for 2013-17 as compared to 2008-12, according to latest data on international arms transfers released by SIPRI.
Amid strained relations, Pakistan’s arms imports from the United States also decreased by 76%. Meanwhile, the battle-hardened country became the largest recipient of the China’s arms in 2013-17, international independent institute further noted.
On the other hand, India’s border tensions with Pakistan and China and its lack of capability to produce arms itself – fueled India’s growing demand for major weapons, said SIPRI senior arms expert Siemon Wezeman.
As a result, India’s arms imports grew by 24% between 2008-12 and 2013-17. India was the largest arms importer in 2013-17 which accounted for 12% of global arms exports, much higher than Pakistan’s 2.8%.
India’s military expenditure of $56 billion is also the fifth-largest in the world.
‘China, by contrast, is becoming increasingly capable of producing its own weapons and continues to strengthen its relations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar through arms supplies’, he added.
Russia was the India’s leading arms supplier for the 5-year period 2013-17 which accounted for 62% of India’s arms imports.
Although, United States was the second-largest arms supplier to India however its arms exports to India grew by 557% between 2008-12 and 2013-17.