The last time Pakistan received advanced weapons from the Americans in the 1980s, it led to the eruption of a terrorism movement in Kashmir. It is understood that New Delhi’s concerns have been communicated to US vice president Joe Biden who was on a state visit here last month.
India’s security establishment has been receiving steady reports that a large consignment of advanced arms is being claimed by Pakistan. On the cards are large consignments of night vision devices, sniper rifles, laser target designators for the Pakistan Air Force and counter-IED equipment. But what has alarmed New Delhi is a move by Pakistan to get weapon systems that don’t have anything to do with counter-terrorism.
Reports indicate that the United States is considering handing over AMRAAM air-to-air and sidewinder missiles as well as M-270 multiple launch rocket systems. It is believed that since these could come under strict export controls, the weapon systems will be first handed over to a friendly third country, which, in turn, will hand them over to Pakistan. While India has expressed its concern over transfer of such weapon systems, the United States has been non-committal to New Delhi on the issue.