Justification Of Arms Sales

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 11

Justification Of Arms Sales

(N.Z P.A.-Reuter—Copyright; NEW DELHI, May 2. The United States Government had told India that if military help was not given to Pakistan the country might go into the hands of China, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr Bali Ram Bhagat, told the House of the People yesterday.

He was replying to questions about the supply of American-made Patton tanks to Pakistan. One member wanted to know whether the Government had told the United States the supplies would be regarded by India as an unfriendly act and whether, if supplies continued, the Government would snap Its ties with the United States. Mr Bhagat said the Government had already taken up with the Italian Government the sale Of surplus North Atlantic Treaty Organisation armaments to Pakistan and had also talked to the Soviet Union about Pakistan's efforts to get arms from other countries. He confirmed that the United States had authorised the sale of 100 tanks to Pakistan by Italy and said their acquisition could only lead to an Increase in tension and mistrust between India and Pakistan.

The snapping of ties with America was a different mater but the Government was “very much alert and

awake to any possibility of aggression.” , Mr Bhagat said the United States bad told India the 100 tanks were replacements for those lost by Pakistan in the 1965 war with India and it had assured India the supply would not increase Pakistan's military prowess. He added .hat another argument advanced by the United States Government was that if America did not help Pakistan, the country would go into the hands of China. India had pointed out that Pakistan was receiving help from China in spite of American efforts to keep Pakistan from Chinese Influence.