National

‘Pak may use U.S. arms against India’

NEW DELHI: India is apprehensive that U.S. weapons being supplied to Pakistan could be used against it in the event of a war.

Citing a study, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, “This assistance is often justified as playing a critical role in the war on terrorism, whereas, in reality, the weapons systems are often ‘prestige items’ to help Pakistan in the event of a war with India. “The study emphasises that few of these weapons are likely to provide much help in rooting out the Al-Qaeda or the Taliban.”

Quoting the study conducted by a Washington-based think tank, Mr. Mukherjee said that of the $10-billion assistance provided by the U.S. to Pakistan over the past five-plus years, roughly 18 per cent or $1.8 billions had gone towards security assistance. This assistance was often justified as playing a critical role in the war with Pakistan but India did not subscribe to this view, he said. “The Government of India’s position in this regard is well known. We are against an arms race in the region. [The] government’s concerns have been expressed to the U.S. and other nations. [The] government will take all necessary steps to safeguard India’s security.”While expressing doubts over the efficacy of the U.S.-supplied defence platforms in the fight against terrorism, Mr. Mukherjee said the aid was tied to Islamabad’s performance in the fight against terrorism.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu