The US ambassador tried on Tuesday to reassure India after Washington designated its rival Pakistan as a major military ally, saying the partnership with Islamabad focused on the war on terrorism.
US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced last week in Islamabad that Pakistan would be made a "major non-Nato ally," entitling it to priority shipments of military orders.
"Secretary Powell has indicated that this will facilitate co-operation between the United States and Pakistan in the war on terrorism. This is an objective that India shares," Ambassador David Mulford told a luncheon of business leaders in New Delhi.
"The United States will continue to build strong bilateral relationships with India and Pakistan. Each of these relationships stands on its own merits," he said.
The Indian government has warned that the reward for Pakistan, a frontline ally in the US-led war on terrorism, could damage fast-growing ties between India and the United States.
Foreign ministry spokesman Navtaj Sarna said Powell telephoned Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha on Sunday and told him "their intention was not to spring a surprise on India."
Asked whether Washington had offered India the same military status, the spokesman said the Indian government had "not given any consideration to that kind of relationship with the United States".
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