Wednesday, June 29 2005 11:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Stating that the United States offer to sell F-16 and F-18 aircrafts to India and Pakistan appeared to be "mischievous", former Naval chief Admiral (Retd) L Ramdas yesterday (Jun 28, 2005) cautioned both the countries against the purchase saying it will again trigger an arms race in the subcontinent.

"Both India and Pakistan should not purchase F-16 and F-18 aircrafts as it will again trigger the arms race in the sub-continent and would spoil the improving relations between the two countries," Ramdas told reporters in Mumbai.

The continuation of arms race would turn out to be "counter-productive and suicidal," Ramdas said.

Ramdas, who was appealing for more public participation in its signature campaign on 'No No to F-16s and F-18s' launched by Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy, said the offer to sell F-16s and F-18s to India and Pakistan appears "mischievous and will ruin the economics of both the countries."

"The US does not want peace in the region to keep its interest intact," the former Naval chief said adding, that the US was also offering the aircraft to both the countries that have become obsolete.

He further said it was the "irresponsible" behaviour of our politicians who have failed to bring peace in the sub-continent.

The former Naval chief said he had also urged the Centre on reducing expenditure on defence and had even returned the nuclear submarine 'Chakra' to Russia when he was holding office.

Ramdas said students would also be involved in the campaign to oppose India and Pakistan from purchasing F-16s and F-18s aircraft from the US.

All the signatures collected during the campaign in India and Pakistan would be submitted to the Presidents, Prime Ministers and leaders of opposition of both the countries, he added.

The forum would also observe one-minute silence at 11:00 hrs (IST) on the 60th anniversary of atomic bomb blast at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on July 6 and 9.