US to sell fighter jets to Pakistan

US PRESIDENT George W Bush agreed yesterday to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan in a major policy shift which rewarded a key ally in the war on terrorism but angered its nuclear neighbour India.

Mr Bush called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and “explained his decision,” spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Mr Singh expressed “great disappointment,” according to a spokesman in New Delhi, though US officials said Mr Bush had signalled a willingness to sell sophisticated fighters to India in future.

A senior Bush administration official said the F-16 sale to Pakistan, which was blocked for 15 years because of the country’s nuclear weapons programme “will not change the overall balance of power” between Pakistan and India.

The official said that the jets “are vital to Pakistan’s security as President (Pervez) Musharraf takes numerous risks prosecuting the war on terror.”

Though no final decision has been made on similar F-16 sales to India, a senior Bush administration official said: “We will respond positively to the Indian tender for bids to sell multi-role combat aircraft.”

The F-16 sale represents a major shift for the US and a final step toward tacit acceptance of Pakistan’s possession of nuclear weapons.

However, the sales to two nuclear countries that have warred over Kashmir could raise eyebrows among US allies in Europe who are under pressure not to lift an arms embargo on China. The Bush administration argues European weapons could contribute to raising tensions with Taiwan.