Monitor Pakistan’s use of military aid, India tells US
April 3rd, 2010 - 10:00 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Upset over the US’ continuing supply of cutting-edge military hardware to Pakistan, India has asked it to set up a mechanism to ensure that American military aid was not diverted by Islamabad to target India.
“We are in regular touch with the Americans… they are aware and alert to our concerns,” a well-placed source close to the government said when asked about the military aid promised to Pakistan at the US-Pakistan strategic dialogue held in Washington a week ago.
“We have told them that they need to develop a mechanism to monitor the assistance they are giving to Pakistan,” the source said.
“India is sure that they (US) will keep this aspect in mind if they are sensitive to our security concerns.”
India has raised the issue of the US military supplies to Pakistan at many levels and pointed out to them that the aid was being used to bolster anti-India military infrastructure, but Washington has gone ahead with it due to its strategic calculations and compulsions in Afghanistan.
In a sign of new comfort level between the two countries, the US briefed India on the March 24-25 US-Pakistan strategic talks. US National Security Advisor James Jones briefed his Indian counterpart Shivshankar Menon while Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao was briefed by Under Secretary of State William Burns.
Downplaying the outcome of the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, the sources said it was not a genuine strategic partnership, but “a relationship born out of necessity”. “We see the glass quite clearly… it is a relationship born out of necessity in which Pakistan has to deliver a lot in terms of dealing with terrorism and the problems it faces,” a source said.
The sources said India was not worried about the US agreeing to discuss a nuclear deal with Pakistan, but pointed out that it was virtually impossible given Islamabad’s clandestine nuclear programme and its dubious proliferation record.
India has also rejected reports that suggested the US was not providing access to American-Pakistani David Coleman Headley, who has confessed to his role in plotting the Mumbai attacks. The two countries were in constant touch in the matter, the sources said.
Washington had assured New Delhi that it would answer every question and concern that India would raise with regard to Headley.
- Clinton begins India visit: Terror, AfPak, n-deal top agenda (Night Lead) - Jul 19, 2011
- US to double training aid for Pakistan Army - Jun 11, 2010
- US experts suggest Pakistan policy relook - Dec 17, 2011
- US must fulfil pledges made to Pakistan: Zardari - Jan 22, 2011
- India concerned about US-Pakistan talks on Afghanistan - Mar 25, 2010
- Former diplomat says India should not be complacent over US snub to Pak - Mar 25, 2010
- US puts all bilateral contacts with Pak on hold until release of murder-accused diplomat - Feb 08, 2011
- Clinton in India Monday night, Mumbai and n-deal on agenda - Jul 18, 2011
- Clinton arrives, Mumbai blasts and n-deal to top talks (Lead) - Jul 18, 2011
- 'Pakistan's inaction on 26/11, a time-bomb for US-Pakistan ties' - Jul 28, 2010
- Pakistan not in favour of discussing Mumbai attack - Jun 17, 2011
- Ties with Pakistan go beyond security: Obama - Apr 12, 2010
- India, US discuss Iran, visa hike - Apr 02, 2012
- Headley, AfPak, nukes, Iran on Manmohan-Obama talks menu - Apr 11, 2010
- India may press US for help in Mumbai terror probe - Jul 15, 2011
Tags: compulsions, dialogue, indian counterpart, islamabad, james jones, menon, military aid, military hardware, military infrastructure, military supplies, national security advisor, New Delhi, nirupama rao, nuclear deal, pakistan india, proliferation, secretary of state, security concerns, strategic partnership, william burns