Sweden links sale of jets to Indo-Pak talks

Sweden has declined to sell its advanced Gripen fighter planes to Pakistan until positive movement is made in the Indo-Pak peace process. However, it has agreed to sell Erie-eye Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS), to counter-balance India’s acquisition of the Israeli Phalcon Airborne Surveillance System.

‘‘Sweden has decided not to sell Gripen planes to Pakistan until positive developments are made in the region,’’ Swedish Ambassador to Pakistan Ann Wilkens was quoted as saying, by the Pakistan NNI news agency.

The sale of planes was not discussed during President Pervez Musharraf’s visit to Sweden earlier this month, added Wilkens.

Asked when Sweden would prefer to sell the planes to Pakistan, she said: ‘‘That is mainly linked with regional development. Positive regional developments can put this issue on the agenda, but for the moment that is not an issue and it is still an open question’’.