US military aid to Pakistan may be misused against India: Govt

NEW DELHI: Holding that there was every possibility of recent US military aid to Pakistan being used against India, Government today said that it will provide all assistance to the armed forces to protect every inch of its territory.

Antony told reporters here that during his meeting with US National Security Advisor James Jones and Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen last week he had conveyed India's concerns in this regard and pointed out that the support was "disproportionate" to Pakistan's requirement to fight against the Taliban.

"We also feel that there is every possibility of diverting this sophisticated equipment against India," he said after laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here to mark the 11th anniversary of the Kargil war against Pakistan.

Asked if the government had failed to capitalise on the gains made by Indian soldiers during the Kargil battle, he said government will provide whatever was needed for the armed forces to protect every inch of Indian territory.

"We will strengthen our armed forces...whatever they may require to strengthen the Indian security apparatus so they can protect Indian territory," he said.

Antony had told Mullen that India's worries that Pakistan was diverting the American military assistance to building capacities against India.

The Defence Minister had said that arms aid to Pakistan, worth billions of dollars annually, was "disproportionate to the war on terror" for which it was intended and the US should ensure it was used only for the purpose meant for.

He had also suggested that the US should set up a monitoring mechanism to ensure that there was no diversion of the aid which Pakistan receives.

Mullen had said that the military aid to Pakistan did not in any way "greatly imbalance" its capabilities vis-a-vis India.

Asked whether the US would take a re-look at the assistance if India provided evidence of misuse by Pakistan, he had termed it as a "hypothetical" question but said if there was a change in use of the weapon systems, the US would look at it.