At New Delhi talks, India cautions Rumsfeld on Pakistan arms sales
NEW DELHI -- The United States will build stronger ties with India, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld vowed yesterday, but New Delhi said proposed US arms sales to Pakistan could affect its relations with Washington.
Rumsfeld, who is in India on the final leg of a regional tour, held talks on a range of issues with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh; his Indian counterpart, Pranab Mukherjee; and Foreign Minister Natwar Singh. They were the first discussions at this level since President Bush's reelection last month.
''The defense relationship is a strong one and something we intend to see is further knitted together as we go forward in the months and years ahead," Rumsfeld said, adding that he had invited Mukherjee to Washington.
Relations between India and the United States, who were on opposite sides of the Cold War, have warmed in recent years, but Washington's decision to embrace Pakistan, India's nuclear-armed rival, as a vital ally in the war against terror has been an irritant.
India expressed serious concern yesterday about three proposed US arms sales to Pakistan worth $1.2 billion, including eight P-3C Orion surveillance planes. Islamabad is also seeking F-16 fighter aircraft.
''This is a general concern that has been expressed about repercussions of US arms supplies, both on the India-Pakistan dialogue . . . as well as on the perception of the US in India as a strategic partner," Navtej Sarna, a spokesman for India's Foreign Ministry, said during a news conference.
Asked whether India's concerns about proposed US sales of F-16s to Pakistan were raised, Rumsfeld told reporters earlier yesterday, ''We talked about a full range of things, and I don't think I would consider that to be a central part of the discussion at all." The two sides also discussed Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran.
India has been steadfast in its refusal to commit troops to Iraq, and its parliament has adopted a resolution demanding the withdrawal of all US-led coalition troops from that country. But New Delhi reiterated that it was ready to train Iraqi election staff in India in response to a UN request.
The United States has been concerned about India's relations with Iran, which Washington contends is developing nuclear arms.
