Pakistan conveys concern to Washington over proposed sale of missile to India
AP, March 4, 2003

Pakistan has conveyed to Washington its concern over Israel's
proposed sale of U.S.-made Arrow missiles to India, saying it would threaten regional security, officials said Tuesday.

Responding to questions by lawmakers in the lower house of Parliament on Monday, Defense Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal said the possible missile sale has been taken up with U.S. authorities through diplomatic channels.

Pakistan is a key ally of the United States in the war on terror, and Iqbal assured the lawmakers that the U.S. State Department has thus far not approved the sale of the missiles.

The Arrow missile system is a joint production of Israel and the United States, and Washington must approve any sale of the missiles to a third country.

The Arrow is designed to intercept incoming missiles and destroy them in the air.

Pakistan has often expressed concern over the reported sale of defense equipment to its nuclear-rival India, saying such sales would increase its neighbor's belligerence.

Pakistan and India have been at odds since they got independence from Britain in 1947. The two sides have fought three wars - two over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.