New Delhi, Aug 22: Amid reports that the US has agreed to sell six C-130 transport military aircraft to Pakistan, India today said so long as Islamabad continued its policy of confrontation against this country and sponsored cross-border terrorism, any accretion to its military strength would be a "matter of concern". "So long as Pakistan continues its policy of confrontation with India and so long as it continues to sponsor cross-border terrorism, any accretion to Pakistan's military strength, irrespective of the source, would be a matter of concern," external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters.

Asked whether India had conveyed this view to the US, he said "our concerns (on US military supplies to Pakistan) are known" to them. An official announcement in Islamabad said the acquisition of the C-130 aircraft would not only improve the defence capability of Pakistan but also enhance its ability to conduct humanitarian relief missions throughout the region.

The agreement provides for sale of six C-130 aircraft from the Lockheed Martin company at an estimated cost of 75 million dollars.

Bureau Report