Pak set to get F-16 s

NEW DELHI: AS India and Pakistan seek to reduce the trust deficit through dialogue , Pakistan is getting ready to receive the first batch of upgraded F-16 s that will increase the capabilities of the Pakistani military. The supply of F-16 s by the US has been an issue of concern for India, which has pointed out that Islamabad in the past has diverted military aid meant for counter-terror operations to increase military capabilities against India.

The F-16 s have been of particular concern to India which has asked the US government to ensure that the military upgrade is not used against India. The US has reportedly put strict conditions on the supply of the F-16 s. However, that is not easing concerns here.

The delivery of the fighter jets takes place at the same time as the high level Indo-Pak meetings that are aimed at reducing the trust deficit between the two countries. Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao left for Islamabad on Wednesday to kickstart a round of meetings that are clearly aimed at initiating a dialogue with Pakistan `` on all issues .’’

She will meet her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir on Thursday to pave the way for the meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries in July. Sources said that dialogue was the only way forward for normalisation of ties and maintained that terror would be the key focus of the talks.