Beijing: China, which was unsuccessful in acquiring Phalcon early warning aircraft systems from Israel in 2000, today (Mar 2, 2004) said India's plan to get similar equipment from the Jewish State was an issue between New Delhi and Tel Aviv.

"This is something between Israel and India", a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, commenting on reports that Israeli security Cabinet has approved the sale of three Phalcon radar systems to India mounted on Russian aircraft.

The spokesperson declined to respond to a question whether the sale of three Phalcon radar systems can alter the regional security situation since these system can detect aerial threats and serve as a platform to direct combat planes to targets.

Under stiff US pressure, Israel had cancelled a similar sale to China in 2000, following, which the Jewish State apparently paid about $ 350 million as compensation to Beijing.