March, 28 2005	Monday	17 Safar 1426

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NEW DELHI, March 27: India said on Sunday that it had no intention to indulge in an arms race with Pakistan though its stated disappointment with Washington over the proposed sale of F-16 warplanes to Islamabad has triggered ideas that New Delhi may explore other regional friendships to counter the US move. While Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday welcomed the United States offer to sell F-16s and their updated variants, the F-18s, to India, there was little to indicate that a serious deal was near.

The Indian Air Force is looking to buy up to 125 fighter aircraft to replace its ageing fleet. The aircraft being considered include the Swedish Gripen, the French Mirage 2000 and the Russian MiG-29M2.

“One thing I would like to emphasize is that we have no intention of joining the arms race,” Mr Mukherjee told reporters here.

He said while never before had such an offer been made to India, New Delhi would consider it keeping in view the requirements of the three services for defence preparedness.

The Hindustan Times said the Bush Administration’s decision to sell the jets to Pakistan could lead India to cosy up to China.

It quoted former US senator Larry Pressler as describing the move as “rejecting India at the altar” of a new relationship.

“It was a sad day, the day we lost India,” Mr Pressler said in an interview to an Indian news service. “If I were the leader of India I would have no option but to seek an alliance with China for military reasons,” he said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is to visit Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India from April 5. News reports say the visit to India could mark a major breakthrough in their border standoff which led to a war in 1962.