PM expresses concern over diversion of US aid against India

Ajay Kaul and Lalit K Jha
Washington, Nov 24 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh has conveyed to the United States, India's concern over
misuse of its military and other kind of aid by Pakistan.
During his series of meetings with officials of the Obama
Administration and US lawmakers, situation in the region,
particularly terrorism emanating from Pakistan and
Afghanistan, came up prominently.
Singh also pressed for relaxation of restrictions on the
entities list to enable expansion of defence cooperation
during discussions with the US interlocutors.
Singh raised the issue of American military supplies and
funds to Pakistan and conveyed concerns over the diversion.
"Such equipments have been used against us in the past
and we continue to have such worries. We leave it to the US to
reflect fully on this issue," the Foreign Secretary Nirupama
Rao said briefing reporters on the Prime Ministers meetings.
There was need for greater accountability particularly on
the military aid given to Pakistan as India did not have a
good experience in the past in this regard, Rao said, adding
American leaders understood India's concerns.
The Prime Minister also highlighted India's concerns with
regard to continued threat of terrorism coming out of Pakistan
and emphasised that the US and the international community
should put "pressure" on it to crack down on anti-India groups
and punish those responsible for the Mumbai terror attack, she
said.
While American officials did not press for resumption of
composite dialogue with Pakistan, Singh said India wanted to
live in peace, but there was difficulty in carrying forward
the process of normalisation until Pakistan moves meaningfully
to address its concerns on terrorism.
Rao said the US is conscious of India's concern and
understands its position that time was not right for dialogue.
Explaining India's inability to conduct dialogue in the
present environment, Rao said unless Pakistan addresses
India's concerns on terrorism it would be difficult to carry
along public opinion as in a democracy, mood of people and
that of the Parliament was significant.
Talking about inaction by Pakistan with regard to
prosecution of those behind Mumbai attacks, Singh said it was
in the interest of both India and the US that those behind
26/11 be brought to book.
The Logistic Supports Agreement (LSA) and Communications
and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) that
will enable greater cooperation between the two militaries,
were also discussed in the meeting with Defense Secretary.
India said it will take some time in taking a decision on
this issue.
The Prime Minister held a meeting in the morning with the
Defense Secretary Robert Gates, following which he met two
separate delegations of members of the US House of
Representatives and the Senators.
He went to the Capitol Hill to meet the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. PTI LKJ
ANU