F-16s to Pak: PM conveys 'disappointment' to Bush Friday, March 25 2005 20:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
New Delhi:
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Mar 25, 2005) conveyed to President George W Bush India's "great disappointment" on US proposal to sell F-16 fighter aircraft to Pakistan.
"The Prime Minister received a telephone call from the US President this evening. They had a wide-ranging conversation," PMO spokesman Sanjaya Baru said.
"The US President, among other things, spoke about his administration's decision to propose the transfer of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan.
"The Prime Minister expressed India's great disappointment at this decision which could have negative consequences for India's security environment," Baru said.
India had registered its opposition to US sale of F-16 multi-role nuclear-capable fighters to Pakistan last week also when the issue figured in the talks between External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh and visiting American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
"We did express certain concerns on certain matters on the Defence issue. It might create some complications," Singh said referring to F-16 issue after the talks.