New Delhi: Observing that offensive military equipment supplied by the US to Pakistan has created problems in the region, India on June 19 hoped that Washington will maintain its position on the issue of supply of f-16 fighters to that country.

Asked about a report in the American Defence and Foreign affairs daily that US is readying an f-16 fighter deal with Pakistan, External Affairs Ministry spokesman said that the US government has already denied the report.

"Our position has been that in the past, supply of offensive military equipment to Pakistan by the US has created problems in the region as it has only been used against us," he said.

"We hope that the US will maintain its position that it has adopted in recent years regarding re-supply of f-16s to Pakistan," he said.

According to the report, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had told Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani in Washington about the f-16 deal to consolidate alliances in preparation for strategic moves on Iran and North Korea.

"The announcement (of sales) would be made during the visit of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who was due to arrive in Washington on June 24," it said.

PTI