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India `disappointed` at US special status for Pak
New Delhi, Mar 20: India said on Saturday the US decision to grant Pakistan special military status has `significant implications` for relations between New Delhi and Washington and said it was `disappointing` it had not been forewarned.
New Delhi, Mar 20: India said on Saturday the US decision to grant Pakistan special military status has `significant implications` for relations between New Delhi and Washington and said it was `disappointing` it had not been forewarned.
"We are studying the details of this decision, which has significant implications for India-US relations," a foreign ministry statement said.
It noted that US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced in Islamabad that Pakistan would be designated a `major non-NATO ally` two days after holding talks in New Delhi.
"While he was in India, there was much emphasis on India-US strategic partnership. It is disappointing that he did not share with us this decision of the United States Government," the statement said.
"We are studying the details of this decision, which has significant implications for India-US relations," a foreign ministry statement said.
It noted that US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced in Islamabad that Pakistan would be designated a `major non-NATO ally` two days after holding talks in New Delhi.
"While he was in India, there was much emphasis on India-US strategic partnership. It is disappointing that he did not share with us this decision of the United States Government," the statement said.
The special designation puts Pakistan but not India in an exclusive club of nations such as Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan and Thailand given preferential US treatment in military cooperation.
Bureau Report