Harpoon issue gets notified in US Congress

The Obama Administration has notified the US Congress about the potential violation of a key arms export act by Pakistan for illegally modifying the Harpoon anti-ship missile, a weapon that could target India.

"We have notified Congress of potential violations of obligations entered in pursuant to the Arms Control Export Control Act to ensure that key leaders are provided information on US efforts to address them," said the State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly.

Between 1985 and 1988 the Ronald Reagan administration delivered 165 Harpoon missiles to Pakistan.

Responding to question about a new report in The New York Times that Pakistan has illegally modified Harpoon missile, Kelly said the Obama administration has taken those reports very seriously.

"We have seen these reports in 'The New York Times'. We take the possibility of any potential violations of obligations entered into pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act – we take these allegations very seriously," Kelly said.

Noting that the Administration has engaged the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels in this regard,Kelly said: "We recently negotiated an agreement in principle to establish mutually agreed inspections to address possible modifications to any arms that we have transferred."