Wednesday, March 16 2005 12:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India today (Mar 16, 2005) conveyed its concern to the US over its reported move to sell F-16 warplanes to Pakistan even as Washington said it is looking forward to enhanced Defence cooperation between the two countries.

The issue of sale of F-16s figured during the wide-ranging talks visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh in New Delhi.

Singh said that while raising concern over the possible supply of F-16s to Pakistan it was conveyed that this might create "some complications".

However, he said there were "no serious differences" in the "free and frank" talks as the bilateral ties were maturing.

Singh also said India's concern over sale of F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan were "well known".

Addressing a joint press conference, Rice sought to allay New Delhi's apprehensions saying that there has been no such agreement with Islamabad and "I don't expect any such announcement" during the course of the visit to South Asia, including Pakistan.

On India's efforts to become a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council (UNSC), Rice said that there have been "great changes" in the world and international institutions would have to accommodate that change.

She preceded her remark by saying Washington has started a dialogue with India and other countries on U N reforms and that she has appointed a special ambassador to interact with other nations on the issue.

Rice, who arrived in New Delhi last night (Mar 15, 2005) on a day's visit, said that the world was changing and countries like India were emerging as important factors in the international economics and politics, taking on more and more global responsibilities.

In this regard, she pointed out the role played by India during the December 26 tsunami disaster in mobilising relief not only for itself but countries in South and South East Asia.

This showed the "extra-ordinary potential" that New Delhi possessed to deal with humanitarian and other causes, Rice said.

Before her talks with Singh, Rice had a 30-minute meeting with United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Singh said that the world of 2005 had nothing to do with the world of 1945 when the UN was set up after the Second World War.

The Minister said that if the UN had to be relevant, drastic reforms were necessary but it was not an easy exercise and added that Japan, Germany and Brazil were in the race for permanent membership of the Security Council along with India.

Obviously the US has a "very, very important role" in this crucial exercise, he said.

On the seizure of power by Nepal's King Gyanendra on February 1, Singh said that both sides agreed that there was an immediate need to restore democratic freedom and return to multi-party democracy in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Rice and Singh felt that the developments in Kathmandu were a "setback" to the goals of democracy and pluralism.

Hailing the "vibrant and functioning" democracy in India, the Secretary of State said the relationship between New Delhi and Washington was on firm foundation.

She said that US President George W Bush had asked her to visit India early.

On a question with regard to plans of Indo-Iran gas pipeline, Rice said Washington's concerns were "well known".

She said on the broader question of India's energy need in the next decade, the US could also help through new and sophisticated technologies in this field.

Singh said that discussions between Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer and his Iranian counterpart were progressing well.

"We have traditionally good relations with Iran and we expect Iran to fulfil all obligations under Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)," he said.

On Indo-Pak relations, Singh said the ongoing composite dialogue was progressing "satisfactorily" while making clear that Islamabad must implement its assurance on stopping all cross-border terrorism against India.

Referring to Iraq, he said India would be prepared to extend all help for economic reconstruction in the war-ravaged country.

On Afghanistan, the Minister said that the two countries were working together.