Tuesday, January 11 2005 10:12 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A group of visiting US Congressmen yesterday (Jan 10, 2005) favoured enhancement in Defence trade with India even as it said Washington had no intention to cause an imbalance of power between New Delhi and Islamabad through sale of arms like F-16 fighters.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the delegation leader, Senator Bill Frist, hailed Pakistan and America's relations with it but noted Washington's ties with New Delhi and Islamabad had their own independent standings.

"We need to work together... In the aftermath of tsunami, the militaries of the two countries have been working together," Senator Norm Coleman said.

Pointing out that the two countries have been conducting joint military exercises, he said there should be enhancement of Defence cooperation and sale of Defence technology to India. "Let us give it a try."

On India's concerns about proposed US sale of F-16 fighters to Pakistan, Frist said that the Bush Administration had taken no decision in this regard so far.

"The US has no intention to pursue arms sale to imbalance relations between India and Pakistan," he said.

Frist said that America's relations with Pakistan and India were not "zero sum game" and these stood in their independent right.

"The US and Pakistan have long-standing ties," he said.

Describing Pakistan as a "stalwart ally" in the global war against terrorism, Frist said that Islamabad has taken "active measures" in this war at regional and international levels.