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Bill allowing defence sales to India, Pak introduced

In a far reaching move likely to benefit Islamabad, US Senator Sam Brownback has introduced a bill seeking to authorise the sale of military goods and services as well as dual-use items to both India and Pakistan by waiving till September 30, 2003, existing legislations.

US's nuclear cooperation with India and Pakistan, however, continued to be barred as per the provisions of the bill.

The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Mitch McConnell, is significant in that it even waives the legislation barring certain types of aid to coup regimes such as the one in Pakistan.

That would imply perfect equality between New Delhi and Islamabad, thus fulfilling a long cherished dream of Pakistan.

The bill authorises the President George W Bush to provide for India and Pakistan "assistance, enter into contracts, take actions in international financial institutions, sell, lease or authorise the export of defence articles or defence services, authorise the export of dual use items or extend other financial assistance".

The only condition being it should be "in the national interest of the United States and important to its efforts to respond to, deter or prevent acts of international terrorism".

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