A United States-based human rights watchdog has criticised the Indian government for "offering" a military assistance package to Myanmar, saying that it is likely to be used to attacks civilians in its war against ethnic insurgents.

In a statement, the Human Rights Watch demanded that New Delhi [Images] "cease its support" to Myanmar's army, halt arms sales and press it to stop its attack on civilians.

Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi offered a multimillion dollar aid package to Myanmar's military when he visited that country's new administrative cemtre at Nay Pyi Taw on November 22 to meet the leaders of the military government, the rights group said.

"This aid package includes counter-insurgency helicopters, upgrades of Myanmar's Russian and Chinese-made fighter planes and naval surveillance aircraft. This followed recent pledges in early November by Indian Army [Images] Chief J J Singh to help train Myanmarese troops in special warfare tactics.

"It is shocking that a democracy like India would offer military assistance to the brutal military dictatorship, which is likely to use that assistance against the civilian population," said Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW.