WASHINGTON, Sept 15 The US State Department has reacted cautiously to an alleged statement by the former president Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan has used American military aid to strengthen its defences against India.

“This is former president who has made these allegations ... But simply we don't have the details to be able to respond to the allegations,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told journalists in Washington.

The controversy stems from Mr Musharraf's interview to a Pakistani news channel, in which he also discussed the US military aid to Pakistan.

The Indian media, however, reported that Mr Musharraf acknowledged using US military aid meant to fight the extremists to strengthen Pakistan's defences against India. The former president justified his action by saying that he had “acted in the best interest of Pakistan”, the reports said.

But Mr Musharraf's aides in Washington say that his statement was “misinterpreted” by the Indian media.

The issue was raised at a regular briefing at the State Department as well where the spokesman was asked if Pakistan could use US military aid for defending itself against India.

“Well, I think anytime that we sell arms or provide the means to sell arms ... we put in place safeguards and monitoring mechanisms to make sure that these weapons are used for the intended and agreed-to purpose. And this is the same for Pakistan as well,” said Mr Kelly.