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| August 24, 2003 | Sunday | Jumadi-us-Sani 25 |
India opposes sale of C-130 aircraft to Pakistan
NEW DELHI, Aug 23: India expressed concern on Friday at a decision by the United States to sell six C-130 Hercules planes to Pakistan, the largest military hardware deal between the two since the US lifted sanctions almost two years ago.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said the expansion of Pakistan’s military strength was of direct concern to India.
“So long as Pakistan continues its policy of confrontation with India and so long as it continues to foster cross-border terrorism, then any accretion to Pakistan’s military strength irrespective of source would be a matter of concern,” Sarna said.
Sarna refused comment on whether India had already or would address the issue of the aircraft sale to Pakistan with the United States.
“On these specific transactions I don’t know if any specific discussions have been held or not but our concerns are known,” Sarna told reporters.
India’s comments came three days after US envoy to Pakistan Nancy Powell announced the $75 million sale of six Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft.—AFP
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