We want ties with India, Pak go side-by-side: Rice

     Washington: The US' announcement of okaying a deal to supply F16 fighter jets to Pakistan, and an offer of entering into defence co-operation with India was a bid to solidify bilateral ties with both the nations, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said. "What we're trying to do is to solidify and extend relations with both India and Pakistan at a time when we have good relations with both of them......something that most people didn't think could be done, and when they have improving relationships with one another," the Dawn quoted Rice as saying in an interview with the Washington Post. She added: "What we're trying to do is break out of the notion that this is a hyphenated relationship somehow, that anything that happens that's good for Pakistan has to be bad for India and vice versa." Rice, who visited India and Pakistan only a couple of weeks ago, said that Washington intends to simultaneously build ties with both New Delhi and Islamabad. About her deliberations with the Indian leadership during the last visit, the Secretary of State said: "What I talked about when I was in India was broadening and deepening our relationship for instance in defence co-operation, broadening and deepening our relationship in energy co- operation." To a question if that included nuclear power plants, Rice cautiously said, "we're a step from that, certainly, but looking at their energy needs and trying to understand how they can be met."

US aviation manufacturer offers exclusive F-16s to India (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The US aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin has offered to make "exclusive" F-16 fighter aircraft for Indian Air Force, which it claims would be much superior to the existing fighter planes all over the world. Commenting on the US Administration's decision to clear sales of high-technology fighters to India and Pakistan, Mike Kelly, Senior Executive of Lockheed Martin said that the company was prepared to make aircraft as per India's specifications with complete transfer of technology in case it required better fighters than any existing aircraft. "We have in the past taken up building of such exclusive fighters for UAE and are prepared to manufacture F-16s to India's special requirements" he said. The F-16 deal is expected to take place between the governments of the two countries under the FMS system, which would enable faster delivery of the fighter planes. The deal of the weapons- locating radar and new contract for the US Navy cover for Indian naval submarines in distress will also be done though the same system. The estimated 6 to 7 million dollars deal proposes supply of 18 aircraft in flyaway conditions and the rest 108 will be assembled in India under technology transfer. After the US Administration's announcement of its decision to clear sales of high-technology fighters to India and Pakistan, the speculations are now being made that Washington might free sales of beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and 100 km stand-off ground target engaging missiles too.

India faces a daunting task, Pak sets a target of 383 runs (Go To Top)

     Bangalore: Visiting Pakistani team scored a swashbuckling innings of 261 for two in 50 overs to set a target of 383 for India to win the match. Driven by its top order batsmen, Pakistan was able to set a target of 383 runs for India to win the third and final Test in Bangalore. At the close of the day, India was on 25 for no loss with Virender Sehwag on six and Gautam Gambhir on 19. Now, the hosts, face a daunting task after conceding a lead of 121 runs in the first innings. The visitors got off to a great start in their second innings with openers Afridi and Yasir Hameed scoring at will. While Afridi smashed 58 off just 35 deliveries, Younis Khan remained unbeaten on 84 and Inzamam-ul-Haq remaining not out on 31. Earlier, in the day, the Pak bowlers made a good start picking up three quick wickets in the first hour to reduce India to 396 for 9. VVS Laxman struck a timely 79 and shared a 50-run partnership with Anil Kumble (19 not out) for the last wicket that helped the hosts reduce the deficit to 121. Brief scores: Pakistan: 570 and 261 for two in 50 overs (S Afridi 58, Y Hameed 76, Younis Khan 84 not out, Inzamam-ul Haq 31 not out) India: 449 all out in 128.4 overs (V Sehwag 201, Tendulkar 41, Laxman 79 not out; Kaneria 5-127, M Sami 3-106).

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