The Communist Party of India on Tuesday said the Centre should not consider the US offer of F-16 fighter jets, as it will have a negative impact on the ongoing Indo-Pak peace process.
It also said that giving planes to Pakistan will 'unleash an arms race' in the region.
"India should not give in to the double game being played by the US. They want to give these planes to Pakistan, and after strong reaction from our country they are saying we will give it to you as well," CPI general secretary A B Bardhan told reporters before addressing a rally, a day before the 19th Congress of the party in Chandigarh.
"But we want to caution the UPA government that accepting the US offer will fuel arms race between India and Pakistan," Bardhan said.
He alleged that the US wants an arms race to start at a time when both India and Pakistan are involved in a peace dialogue. "Acceptance of the US offer will adversely impact Indo-Pak relations," he said.
The CPI will bring a resolution in this regard during the party's Congress, in which over 700 delegates from different parts of India and 31 other countries will be participating, Bardhan added.
