India is stepping up efforts to get the United States to hold the sale of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan until the Musharraf government delivers on its promise to curb terror.
Interlocutors have conveyed IndiaÂ’s strong feelings on the issue to the Bush Administration. The back channels have been active since the serial blasts in Mumbai. A senior government source said credible evidence of a Pakistani link to the blasts will strengthen IndiaÂ’s case. Security agencies are in the process of piecing the evidence together.
“The strongest message the US can give Pakistan (on the terror issue) is to put the F-16 deal on hold,’’ said former Indian ambassador to Islamabad, G Parthasarthy. |