WASHINGTON: As tensions run high between Pakistan and India, US Secretary of State Colin Powell is prepared to tell the Indian government, during his upcoming trip to New Delhi, of his objections to India’s proposed purchase of a sophisticated missile defence system from Israel.

State Department officials, anxious to prevent Pakistan and India from slipping into war, fear the sale of the Arrow Weapon System could exacerbate friction between the two countries, and provide other nations with a justification to peddle missile technology.

Backers of the proposed Israeli sale, including supporters in the Pentagon, cite US allegiance to Israel and President Bush’s pledge to enlist US allies in missile defence development. These proponents argue that defence cooperation with India could improve US-India ties. They say it could also reward the Indian government for its retreat from confrontation with Pakistan over Kashmir.

The administration’s analysis of the Israeli proposal to sell the Arrow system is incomplete, but the idea has received fresh attention in recent days and is undergoing high-level consideration, a Pentagon official said.

The State Department official said that the administration expects to advise the Israelis of its views “fairly soon.”

Meanwhile, India has requested information about the American-made Patriot antimissile weapon, manufactured by Raytheon Co. A company executive said Raytheon will brief Indian officials about the Patriot’s capabilities as early as next month.

“Were India to proceed with an investment in missile defence, one thing is certain: Pakistan will respond in some fashion, either by increasing its offensive capability to counter such a defensive shield or by pursuing its own form of missile defence wherever they could obtain it,” said Karl Inderfurth, an assistant secretary of state in the Clinton administration. “That is an iron law of the action-reaction cycle in South Asia.”

The Arrow Weapon System allows Israel to defend against short- range and medium-range ballistic missiles. Because the programme was developed in partnership with the United States, US approval is required for sales to other countries. Israel has said it would like to sell to India and Turkey.

“It’s been our position that it makes sense economically and strategically to export to India,” said Mark Regev, spokesman for the Israeli Embassy here, who said Israel agrees with the need for delay while tensions are high.

Senior State Department officials are united against the sale for geopolitical and arms control reasons, sources said. A prime concern is the message such a sale would send to Russia, China and other weapons exporters at a time when an administration priority is a reduction in arms proliferation.

An Arrow sale may violate the 1987 Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an agreement among more than 30 countries that seeks to limit the spread of missile technology.

Defence Department officials who favour Israel’s proposal include backers of Israel, which would stand to profit handsomely, as well as supporters of the administration’s missile defence plans. US officials are about to embark on missions to Europe and Asia to discuss partnerships in the long-term development project. Bush contends missile defence will be a force for stability around the world.

Raytheon has set up Patriot systems in eight countries since the rocket interceptors were first rushed into service during the 1991 Persian Gulf War to combat Iraqi Scud missiles. —Dawn/The LAT/WP News Service./