05 February 2004	Thursday	13 Zilhaj 1424

NEW DELHI, Feb 4: Pakistan and China were absent from an international weapons fair that opened in New Delhi on Wednesday as India began talks with global armament firms displaying their latest hardware.

A spokesman for the four-day event said some 300 companies were present from 21 countries, including Britain, France, Israel, Russia, Singapore and the United States.

"Pakistan and China are absent," the spokesman said, without elaborating on the reason the two countries did not attend.

As Indian officials began talks with US and other arms dealers, Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes said his country's arms procurement would not be slowed down for want of funds.

The government alotted 250 billion rupees (5.5 billion dollars) for military procurement in an interim budget presented on Tuesday to parliament that provides funding until elections are held in April or May. "And if we need more than 250 billion rupees, the money will be there," Mr Fernandes said.

India spends around 14 billion dollars on its military each year.

The United States and India announced last month a pact to boost ties in technology and work together to prevent weapons proliferation.

"The pact between president (George W.) Bush and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has altered the strategic partnership and so there would be no light switch diplomacy," said Daniel Christman, senior vice president at the US Chambers and Commerce.-AFP