The United States has dramatically shifted its arms sale policy toward South Asian rivals India and Pakistan by announcing F-16 fighter jet sales for Pakistan on Friday. (Xinhua/AFP/File) WASHINGTON, March 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States has dramatically shifted its arms sale policy toward South Asian rivals India and Pakistan by announcing F-16 fighter jet sales for Pakistan on Friday. According to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, US President George W. Bush, on vacation at his Texas ranch, spoke by phone on Friday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to explain his decision to sell F-16s to Pakistan. During the telephone talks, Singh expressed India's "great disappointment" at the US decision, the Indian leader's spokesman Sanjaya Baru said. India has maintained that the sale of F-16s to Pakistan would pose a threat to the region's security environment. US government officials, however, argued that the sale will notchange the overall balance of power between Pakistan and India. US State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said on Friday that the F-16s to be sold to Pakistan would be newly built but the number was still "undetermined." A senior US government official said earlier that the initial plan is to sell 24 to Pakistan. US officials on Friday also indicated a willingness to sell multirole warplanes to India if New Delhi chooses to buy them fromthe United States. Pakistan has been frustrated for years in its desire to buy newF-16s for its air force, which already has 32 older model F-16s. The US Congress canceled a sale of about two dozen F-16s to Pakistan in 1990 because of Islamabad's pursuit of nuclear weapons. The United States has dramatically shifted its arms sale policy toward South Asian rivals India and Pakistan by announcing F-16 fighter jet sales for Pakistan on Friday. (Xinhua/File) But US relations with Pakistan have warmed steadily because of Islamabad's strong support for the US-led war on terrorism. The USadministration has also been fostering better relations with Indiasince Bush's first term, seeing New Delhi as a key potential ally. The tensions between the two long-time South Asian rivals have also eased significantly since they began peace dialogues last year. "Relations between India and Pakistan have never been better," Ereli said on Friday. "To the extent that we can contribute to Pakistan's sense of security and India's sense of security. That will contribute to regional stability." According to a report of the Associated Press, Jehangir Karamat,Pakistan's ambassador to the United States, opened new political possibilities for advancing Pakistan's stalled 15-year quest for the F-16 fighters when he said last month that Islamabad would notobject to India's buying of American-made jets. India, which traditionally bought most of its weaponry from Russia, is soliciting bids for a purchase of 126 multirole fighterplanes. New Delhi reportedly is considering a number of options, including F-16, the Russian-made MiG-29M, Sweden's Saab Gripen andFrance's Dassault Mirage. If India and Pakistan both buy F-16s, it will be great news forits US manufacturer Lockheed Martin. US media reports said earlier that Lockheed officials hope to land a significant F-16 order in the next few months that would fill looming gaps in the production line at its Fort Worth plant and extend deliveries beyond 2008. Enditem
An F-16 fighter jet, taking offThe United States announced that it will be willing to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan on Friday. U.S. State Department officials said that the sale would improve regional security.

A senior U.S. official, speaking to AFP on conditions of anonymity, reportedly said that the amount of planes which will be sold to Pakistan is "relatively small," although he said that" there is no set limit on what the United States is going to be willing to sell."

Pakistan reportedly wants 25 of the planes, which have a maximum range of over 2,000 miles and are capable of being used for ground or air attacks.

President Bush personally telephoned Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to inform him of the new developments before the announcement, according to White House officials.

According to a spokesman for Singh, the Indian prime minister expressed "great disappointment" and said that it could have "negative consequences" for the security of India.

The senior U.S. official also said that "we don't see any impact on the relevant military balances in the region." He added that the United States would be willing to sell both F-16 and more technologically advanced F-18 fighters to India, if India desired them.

''New Delhi Television'' reports that the offer "has been welcomed" by India's Ministry of External Affairs. ''Xinhua'' has stated that India is seeking a new contract for a purchase of 126 fighter planes. 

The announcement was also welcomed by the Pakistani government. "We welcome this good gesture and it shows good friendship between Pakistan and the United States," Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.

''Xinhua'' reported that potential sales could benefit US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, which hopes to fill "looming gaps in the production line."

The company "has not been officially notified by the U.S. government of any agreement", Lockheed spokesman Tom Jurkowsky told the ''Washington Post''. The Bethesda-based company said that it would have to close its production line in Fort Worth, Texas if it does not receive additional orders by this fall.