Harpoon modifications threatens India-Pak ties: Markey

Washington, Sept 3 (PTI) The illegal modifications in the
anti-ship Harpoon missiles is a provocative and destabilising
action by Islamabad and threatenes the "delicate"
India-Pakistan ties, an influential US lawmaker has said.

"If (recent media reports are) true, the modification of
these missiles would be a violation of the Arms Export Control
Act. In addition, this would be yet another provocative and
destabilising action which threatens the delicate relationship
between India and Pakistan," Congressman Edward Markey has
said.

Amidst reports appearing in the US media, which has been
confirmed by the US Administration, that Pakistan has
illegally modified the American-made Harpoon missiles to
expand its striking capability, Markey, sought off a letter to
the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressing his concern.

Though Islamabad has denied the charges, the US has said
that it has entered into an agreement with Pakistan for a
mutually agreed inspection of the missiles in questions.

Markey, founder of the House Bipartisan Task Force on
Nonproliferation, in a letter to Clinton sought information on
published reports that Pakistan may have illegally modified
US-exported Harpoon missiles to give them a land-attack
capability.

"The nascent nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan
is extraordinarily worrisome, as both countries appear to be
increasing their ability to manufacture weapons," Markey wrote
in the letter. PTI LKJ
JVN