Objecting to the United States' decision to sell 18 F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, India on Monday said the move is 'not conducive' to the improvement of ties between New Delhi and Islamabad.
India pointed out that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had during his meeting with US President George W Bush expressed 'disappointment' over such a move.
"This step is not conducive to improving ties between India and Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi.
The Bush Administration recently approved the sale of 18 new F-16 fighter jets with an option of an additional 18 to Islamabad as part of a $ five-billion-dollar deal.
Sarna said this issue had been a subject of discussions between India and the US and New Delhi was reiterating its position on the matter.
The Bush Administration has notified about the proposed sale to the Congress, which has 30 days to review the offer.
