US/PAKISTAN: The US has agreed to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in a significant policy shift which has raised concerns in India.
President George Bush told Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh that the US intended to sell the sophisticated jets to Pakistan, according to a senior administration official.
"The prime minister expressed India's disappointment at the decision, which could have negative consequences for India's security environment," said Sanjaya Baru, a spokesman for Mr Singh.
The US suspended delivery of the Lockheed Martin jets in 1990 over concerns about Pakistan's nuclear programme. The decision to proceed with the sale now reflects US recognition of co-operation from Pakistan in the "war on terror" and the search for Osama bin Laden.
The September 11 Commission, which investigated the attacks on New York and Washington in 2001, recommended last year that the US should make a long-term commitment to Pakistan.
In November, the US proposed a $1.2 billion (€926 million) arms package which included Orion surveillance aircraft and Phalanx rapid-fire guns and missiles.
Pakistani officials had expressed disappointment that the recent visit by US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice did not yield any progress on the sale of the F-16s. Senior US officials had said that the delay was partially because of potential opposition from Capitol Hill, especially from politicians who are strong opponents of nuclear proliferation.
While the long-anticipated sale will not cause surprise in Delhi, it comes at an awkward moment in an otherwise blossoming relationship between India and the US.
India still believes that Pakistan has not done enough to halt separatist Islamist terrorism on Indian soil. The two countries - both nuclear powers - have waged war three times over the disputed region of Kashmir, although a 13-month peace process is continuing.