Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), right, part of a 12-member Congressional delegation that visited India on Jan. 12-13, addresses the media in New Delhi on Jan. 13. Leader of the delegation, Rep. James Leach (R-IA), is on the left. (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi : A12-member U.S. Congressional delegation that was in India on Jan. 12-13 as part of its visit to three worst tsunami-hit nations ––– India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

The delegation, headed by Rep. James Leach (R-IA), chair of the House International Relations Committee, also included Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS), Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ), Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Rep. Wayne Gilcrest (R-MD), Rep. Frank J. Pallone Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Chris Shays (R-CO), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), and Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA).

Speaking to Indo-Asian News Service during the visit, Rep. Pallone said he is convinced that the F-16s the U.S. proposes to sell to Pakistan are “likely to be used against India.”

“The history of nuclear trends shows that such weapons are not safe in the hands of Pakistan,” Pallone, founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said.

Pallone was in India as part of a 12-member Apart from Rep. Pallone, the Congressional delegation led by “Such arms sale makes me suspicious. Where else would Pakistan use such weapons except in India?” Pallone asked, stressing the point that it’s “irresponsible’’ to entrust Pakistan with nuclear facilities. “The possibilities of their being used by jihadi (fundamentalist) forces can’t also be ruled out,’’ said Pallone, who founded the India Caucus, in 1993.

Over the last 12 years, the caucus has grown to include 184 members of Congress and is the largest country caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Pallone, who is known to promote India’s cause in Washington, D.C., is upbeat about India-U.S. relations going from strength to strength in the days to come. “India is being increasingly seen in Washington as a strategic ally and as a reliable partner in the global war on terror,” said Pallone, who is a passionate advocate for de-clubbing U.S.-India relations from U.S.-Pakistan relations.