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WASHINGTON, 28 JULY, 2010: Days after India voiced concern over misuse of the massive US military aid by Pakistan, the Obama Administration has said that the security assistance to Islamabad, including supply of sophisticated F-16 jets, should not be seen as a "threat" to New Delhi, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
"In giving military assistance to Pakistan, we have systems of accountability to be sure that it is being employed in accordance with the agreements that we have with Pakistan," State Department spokesman P J Crowley said at his daily news briefing Tuesday evening.
"Where we have questions about the nature of Pakistani employment of US assistance, we raise those questions directly with the Pakistani Government. We have in the past and we will continue to do that," he said.
So, building up the capability of Pakistan to deal with the threat within its own borders "should not be seen as a threat to India," Crowley said.
He argued that a stable Pakistan is not a threat to India and a stable
India does not need to be a threat to Pakistan.
His remarks came five days after India expressed concern over the misuse of US military aid by Pakistan and asked America to set up a "monitoring mechanism" as a remedial measure.
During the visit of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen to New Delhi on July 23, Defence Minister A K Antony told him about India's worries that Pakistan was diverting the American military assistance to building capacities against India.
Antony said arms aid to Pakistan, worth billions of dollars annually, was "disproportionate to the war on terror" for which it was intended and the US should ensure it was used only for the purpose meant for.
Pakistan has also recently acquired sophisticated air-to-air missiles from the US for its newly inducted F-16 fighter jets.
Crowley also strongly recommended Indo-Pak peace talks, "It is important for Pakistan and India to have a stable relationship.
They, likewise, will have to have a relationship going forward, and if it is stable, then the world, including the US, benefits."
Responding to a question, Crowley said there are concerns about making sure that Pakistan bring to justice those responsible for the Mumbai attack.
"We've had that conversation with Pakistan and India many, many times. Our concerns about elements within Pakistan and connections that those elements have with the Pakistani Government, we've had that conversation with Pakistan many times," he said.
- Bernama
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