India keeping eye on sale of arms to Pak by China: Krishna

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S M Krishna on Wednesday said India is “closely” monitoring sale of arms to Pakistan by China.

“All these developments are closely monitored by the external affairs ministry, the defence ministry and various other ministries and the prime minister,” said Mr Krishna in response to a question on the arms sales.

His remark comes after Beijing defended its decision to sell submarines and warships to Pakistan by pointing out that India was getting military equipment from the US and Russia. Beijing had further pointed out that the sale was bound to invite concern from Pakistan’s neighbours, but that any doubts were unnecessary. Saying it was no big deal, a Chinese official had said that Pakistan’s proposal for submarine cooperation is aimed at maritime security.

Chief of Pakistan’s naval staff Noman Bashir was in China recently for talks with Chinese officials for the purchase of additional JF-17 fighter planes and frigates. Islamabad in the last couple of years has ordered eight F22P frigates from China, but is now looking for a larger model. The first of the four F22P frigates ordered by Pakistan was delivered in July this year and is already in service, according to reports. The Pakistani Navy, who visited China thrice this year, had said the warships were equipped with the latest technology and had all-round capability to target surface ships, aircraft and submarines.

The F22P frigates and JF-17 Thunder fighter planes are the two major projects between Pakistan and China. But Islamabad is also looking for development of ammunition and weapons, with the Pak Navy chief saying Islamabad wanted to buy more weapons from Beijing in the future, including missiles.

The arms sale had raised concerns in India, which has continued to monitor sale of arms by Beijing to Islamabad. Elsewhere, it has led to concerns about an arms race in the region.