A Foreign Office spokesman had earlier expressed concern and distress over this fast-developing situation which poses a threat to Pakistan’s security. The official view appears to be that the stage for protesting to America is not yet reached, as no official commitment in the regard has been announced thus far, though many reports have said that America, to stop the reported Indo-Soviet MIG deal from materialising, is willing to assist India’s military buildup.

President Ayub Khan and his host President Kennedy had reached an agreement in Washington last year that if, at any stage, America felt inclined to give military assistance to India, Pakistan would be consulted, which has not been the case so far. The excuse for this may be that it has not yet officially stated is position.

But if it reaches an understanding without, openly or secretly, consulting Pakistan, it would be, apart from other things, a serious breach of the understanding, and a protest would then be called for, observers said.—Special Representative/Delhi Correspondent