India concerned over Harpoon modification by Pak

India has conveyed its concerns to the US over reported modification of American Harpoon missiles illegally by Pakistan with an apparent objective of targeting this country.

The concerns were shared by National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao with US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer when the latter met them on Tuesday, official sources said here today.

The matter came up in the context of their discussions about security aspect of Indo-US relations and situation in the neighbourhood. Pakistan has reportedly modified the Harpoon anti-ship missile enabling it to strike land-based targets, apparently in India.

India has already voiced its concern over the reported developments, with outgoing Naval Chief Sureesh Mehta saying it confirmed New Delhi's apprehensions. India is assessing the ramifications of the development. The matter is also expected to be taken by home minister P Chidambaram with his US interlocutors when he travels to Washington on Tuesday.

New Delhi has been conveying to the US that much of its military and financial aid was being diverted to building Pakistan's military capabilities directed against India. Roemer discussed with Narayanan and Rao a wide range of subjects, including counter-terrorism, covered under the strategic partnership, the sources said.