Sale of F-16s to Pakistan complicates US-India ties: McCain

Says new administration should decide about deal

WASHINGTON: Senator John McCain has proposed that a new US administration should decide about the sale of F-16 jets to Pakistan, claiming that the timing of the deal was really bad.

McCain who's Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee has commented on the deal, saying that it has complicated US-India relations. Talking to reporters here on Thursday he said, "This is really a tough one for me and for a lot of people. I think the timing was really bad on this issue."

Proposing the delay he said the new administration should make this decision to sell F-16s to Pakistan. "It is not that far away. You know that F-16 issue has been hanging out there for four-five years. I think we could have waited a little longer," he said.

He said that he had consulted the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman and, "I have recommended to him that he has a hearing on the Foreign Relations Committee.We really do need some Congressional interest in this to make a decision."

McCain said, "Frankly I am very conflicted on this issue. I would like to see an argument made by the administration rather than just an announcement. The two countries that are very important to us are India and Pakistan." He further added, foreign relations committee should hold a hearing on the issue and ask the administration to explain its position.