Main Page                                                 Archive

US to sell F-16 to Pakistan

     New Delhi: US President George W Bush today spoke with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and informed him of Washington's decision to sell the F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. This comes after several years of intense lobbying by Pakistan and meetings between the defene establishments of the two countries. While it is not yet known about the number of F-16 offered to Islamabad, President Bush has decided to sell the top of the line fighter planes with highly advanced avionics and radars. Pentagon's decision overlooks India's opposition to the 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. Secretary Rice during her South Asia visit had vehemently denied that her government planned to ink the deal for sale of fighter planes to Pakistan.

US offers co-production of F-18, N-tech to India (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: In a dramatic decision, the United States tonight has offered the co-production of F-18 fighter jets to India. This follows the US decision to sell a number of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan. India would be licensed by the United States to produce at least six times the number of planes that would have been sold to Pakistan. The F-18 Hornets is a two-engined long-range tactical strike aircraft and is superior to the F-16. In the United States, the F-18 is the mainstay of the US Naval airpower. The F-18 can cover several thousand miles for bombing operations and in terms of speed and manoeuvrability; it is far superior to the F-16.

      In another decision, the United States has agreed to help India's civilian nuclear programme with the possible sale of nuclear reactors that would be used to generate electricity. The nuclear energy was one of the major subjects that were discussed between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice during her recent visit to New Delhi. Although Pentagon has not make known the parameters for sale of nuclear technology to India, informed sources said that it will be worked out shortly.

Security concerns, Modi cancels UK trip (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: Soon after the United States denied a visa to the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, his trip to the UK has been cancelled after the Central government advised him not to travel to the UK for Gujarat divas. According to the Chief Minister's office, his trip has been called off because of security concerns. On Thursday evening, talking to Modi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Home Minister Shivraj Patil expressed their apprehensions regarding security concerns on his proposed three- day tour to the UK and persuaded him to cancel his trip. "At 10:30 pm the Prime Minister and the Home Minister told the Gujarat Chief Minister that there was a perceived security threat to Mr Modi's proposed visit and asked him to cancel his trip for the present. Mr Modi has agreed to cancel his trip in accordance with their wishes," said Hasmukh Ardia, Principal Secretary, CMO, Gujarat. A series of protests were being organised by various human rights groups throughout UK against the proposed visit of Modi. Intelligence reports indicated that Modi may have been the target of terrorist groups, after which the government felt it could not guarantee security for Narendra Modi. Earlier, the British government, while issuing a visa to Modi had already disassociated itself from his visit saying there was to be no official contact. The Gujarat Chief Minister was scheduled to attend the Vibrant Gujarat celebrations in London on March 26. His scheduled visit was being opposed by organisations like Awaaz and South Asia Watch.

---