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.