Islamabad: Pakistan today (Dec 13, 2004) accused India of being "paranoid" over its efforts to secure F-16 fighter aircraft and other weaponry from US but said this would not have any bearing on nuclear and conventional confidence building measure (CBM) talks between the two neighbours beginning in Islamabad tomorrow.

Pakistan is "disturbed" by the statements of Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh that the US sale of F-16s and other military equipment to Islamabad would effect the ongoing peace process, Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told reporters.

The two Indian Ministers talked about F-16 "sounding paranoid deliberately" by saying that it will have an impact on the on going peace process, he said adding, "the premise is wrong."

"By saying that, they are misleading Indian public opinion and misinforming international community," he alleged, but said "we have assurance from highest level" to continue with the peace process.

He also said that the Indian objections would not have any effect on the official level talks on CBMs on the nuclear and conventional weapons beginning in Islamabad tomorrow.

Talks on nuclear CBMs would be held between Dec 14-15 while parleys on conventional CBMs will be held on Dec 15-16. This is the first time that the two sides would be holding talks on conventional CBMs.

Joint Secretary of Indian External Affairs Ministry, Mira Shankar would be heading the Indian delegation. Her Pakistani counterpart Tariq Usman Haider would be leading his country's delegation.