WASHINGTON, Nov 5: India was the biggest arms buyer among developing nations in 2005, finalising arms transfer agreements worth $5.4 billion while Pakistan was 6th on the list with $1.7 billion.

A recent study by the Congressional Research Service ranked Saudi Arabia as second at $3.4bn, followed by China with $2.8bn in such agreements.

On transfer of conventional arms to developing nations from 1998-2005, India was the leading arms purchaser, making agreements of $20.7bn. Pakistan was 10th with purchases of $5.9bn.

India signed $12.9bn in arms transfer agreements from 2002-2005, up from $7.8bn from 1998-2001. Pakistan was 7th on the list with $3.3bn. “This increase reflects the continuation of a military modernisation effort by India,” the CRS noted.