Antony fears Pak will misuse US aid

Jul 24, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

India has expressed its apprehension to the United States that US military aid to Pakistan could be misused by Pakistan against India and has suggested that the US set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure that its aid is not subjected to misuse, defence sources confirmed on Friday. India has also told the United States that the

amount of military aid given to Pakistan is “disproportionate” to what is required by that country to fight terror. This comes even as defence minister A.K. Antony is set to visit the United States towards the end of September at the invitation of US defence secretary Robert Gates. At Friday’s meeting, Mr Antony also discussed the “Af-Pak” situation and the “changing dynamics” in the region with US chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen.
The apprehension regarding military aid was conveyed by Mr Antony in a 45 minute-meeting with Adm. Mullen in New Delhi on Friday afternoon. The US has been supplying military aid worth billions of dollars to Pakistan to bolster it in its fight against the Taliban militants. The US has also been supplying F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan.
However, later on Friday evening, Adm. Mullen said that the weapon systems being supplied by the US to Pakistan are being used only against terrorists and that the US has not sold Pakistan any military equipment that will cause an imbalance in the military capabilities in the sub-continent.
He, however, said he respects India’s concerns in the matter.

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