US military aid to Pakistan may be misused against India: Govt

New Delhi, July 26 (PTI) Holding that there was every
possibility of recent US military aid to Pakistan being used
against India, Government Monday said that it will provide all
assistance to the armed forces to protect every inch of its
territory.
Antony told reporters here that during his meeting
with US National Security Advisor James Jones and Chairman of
Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen last week he had
conveyed India's concerns in this regard and pointed out that
the support was "disproportionate" to Pakistan's requirement
to fight against the Taliban.
"We also feel that there is every possibility of
diverting this sophisticated equipment against India," he said
after laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here to mark the
11th anniversary of the Kargil war against Pakistan.
Asked if the government had failed to capitalise on
the gains made by Indian soldiers during the Kargil battle, he
said government will provide whatever was needed for the armed
forces to protect every inch of Indian territory.
"We will strengthen our armed forces...whatever they
may require to strengthen the Indian security apparatus so
they can protect Indian territory," he said.
Antony had told Mullen that India's worries that
Pakistan was diverting the American military assistance to
building capacities against India.
The Defence Minister had said that arms aid to
Pakistan, worth billions of dollars annually, was
"disproportionate to the war on terror" for which it was
intended and the US should ensure it was used only for the
purpose meant for.
He had also suggested that the US should set up a
monitoring mechanism to ensure that there was no diversion of
the aid which Pakistan receives.
Mullen had said that the military aid to Pakistan did
not in any way "greatly imbalance" its capabilities vis-a-vis
India.
Asked whether the US would take a re-look at the
assistance if India provided evidence of misuse by Pakistan,
he had termed it as a "hypothetical" question but said if
there was a change in use of the weapon systems, the US would
look at it. PTI NCB
MRD