New Delhi: India has conveyed to the US that it must take into account relations between the two countries and New Delhi's security concerns while deciding the scope and nature of its military ties with Pakistan.

New Delhi's concerns in this regard have been conveyed to the US Government on a number of occasions, including during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's meeting with President George Bush in September this year, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh said in a written answer.

He was asked whether Pakistan has demanded weapons and aircraft from the US to restore the balance in South Asia in the context of India acquiring Phalcon radar system from Israel.

He said the Government has seen several statements by Pakistan regarding its interest in acquiring weapons and other Defence equipment from the US.

Government was also aware that in addition to military aid worth $ 375 million between 2002 and 2004, Washington is considering a five-year military aid package of $ 1.5 billion to Pakistan from 2005.

The Minister said so far, US Defence sales to Pakistan have been restricted to transport aircraft, radars and helicopters. He said Washington has not announced the actual size and composition of the proposed military aid to Pakistan.

PTI