Military aid to Pak not a threat to India: US

Lalit K Jha
Washington, Jul 28 (PTI) Days after India voiced concern
over misuse of the massive US military aid by Pakistan, the
Obama Administration has said that the security assistance to
Islamabad, including supply of sophisticated F-16 jets, should
not be seen as a "threat" to New Delhi.
"In giving military assistance to Pakistan, we have
systems of accountability to be sure that it is being employed
in accordance with the agreements that we have with Pakistan,"
State Department spokesman P J Crowley said at his daily news
briefing Tuesday evening.
"Where we have questions about the nature of Pakistani
employment of US assistance, we raise those questions directly
with the Pakistani Government. We have in the past and we will
continue to do that," he said.
So, building up the capability of Pakistan to deal with
the threat within its own borders "should not be seen as a
threat to India," Crowley said.
He argued that a stable Pakistan is not a threat to India
and a stable India does not need to be a threat to Pakistan.
His remarks came five days after India expressed concern
over the misuse of US military aid by Pakistan and asked
America to set up a "monitoring mechanism" as a remedial
measure.
During the visit of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen to New Delhi on July 23, Defence
Minister A K Antony told him about India's worries that
Pakistan was diverting the American military assistance to
building capacities against India.
Antony said 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.
Pakistan has also recently acquired sophisticated
air-to-air missiles from the US for its newly inducted F-16
fighter jets.
Crowley also strongly recommended Indo-Pak peace talks,
while underlining that Islamabad should address New Delhi's
concern with regard to 26/11.
"It is important for Pakistan and India to have a stable
relationship. They, likewise, will have to have a relationship
going forward, and if it is stable, then the world, including
the US, benefits,"
Responding to a question, Crowley said there are concerns
about making sure that Pakistan bring to justice those
responsible for the Mumbai attack.
"We've had that conversation with Pakistan and India
many, many times. Our concerns about elements within Pakistan
and connections that those elements have with the Pakistani
Government, we've had that conversation with Pakistan many
times," he said. PTI LKJ
MRD


The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this
message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain
proprietary, confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended
recipient, you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify
the sender immediately and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments
contained in it.