New Delhi, July 23: Voicing concern over the misuse of US military aid by Pakistan, India today asked America to set up a “monitoring mechanism” as a remedial measure, but got no clear assurance in this regard.
Defence Minister A K Antony, while receiving US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen here, 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.
During the 45-minute meeting, the Defence Minister suggested that the US should set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure that there was no diversion of the aid which Pakistan receives, Defence Ministry sources said.
Later, when asked about India’s concerns, Mullen told reporters 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 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.
“As far as the systems that we are selling them and providing them, they are systems that very specifically are to be used and have been used against the terrorists threat within their own country,” he said.
Mullen, who also met Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal P V Naik, said the issue of diversion of US military aid by Pakistan was raised by the Indian political and military leadership during his meetings with them.
He said the US encourages India to “keep it on the table”.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST