EU: US Arms to India Could Destabilize Region

DefenseNews

U.S. Arms Sales to India Could Destabilize Region: EU Report

By BROOKS TIGNER, BRUSSELS

The European Union should quickly pursue a strategic relationship with India to strengthen political ties and counter the effects of potentially destabilizing U.S. arms sales to the region, according to a new report by the European Parliament.

Adopted Sept. 29 by a large majority during the parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, the 30-page report, “EU-India Relations: A Strategic Partnership,” was authored by Emilio Menéndez del Valle, Spanish Socialist member of the European Parliament (MEP), who sits on the legislature’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

In his report, Menéndez del Valle recognizes the “legitimate aspirations of the United States to establish a strategic alliance with India,” but also said there is a need for a multipolar world.

Europe should move quickly to enhance its political and strategic relations with New Delhi in view of the “shared belief by India and the union that the world can be made a safer place through international relations based on multilateralism and respect for international law.”

Noting the U.S. administration’s planned strategic association with India provides for the sale of U.S. aircraft and the sharing of civilian nuclear technology, the report disapproves of Washington’s intention to sell F-16 fighters capable of carrying nuclear weapons to Pakistan, India’s arch rival.

Pakistan was supposed to buy the F-16 fighters in the late 1980s but was blocked when Washington later imposed sanctions against the country for to its nuclear weapon program. U.S.-Pakistani ties have improved since then, particularly in view of their joint efforts to combat terrorism since September 2001.

This led to positive signals earlier this year from top U.S. administration officials about allowing the fighter deal to go ahead.

The European Union “must encourage regional cooperation in southern Asia” by supporting projects that are peaceful in nature, said Menéndez del Valle. Noting the recent agreement by Iran, Pakistan and India to build a gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistani territory, the Spanish MEP said such endeavors “create a network of mutual interests, deterring the prospect of conflict between them, and encouraging regional stability.”

The report now goes to the executive European Commission and the Council of Ministers for policy input. The council is the EU branch that directly represents the union’s 25 national governments.