Terming the decision to lift sanctions on Pakistan as a "mistake", US Congressman Frank Pallone on Monday sought their re-imposition in the wake of the transfer of nuclear technology by Islamabad to North Korea.
"US should reimpose military and democratic sanctions on Pakistn, especially in view of the transfer of nuclear technology by the latter to North Korea," Pallone, who was one of the first co-chairs of Congressional Caucus on India, said addressing a roundtable on Indo- US relations at World Economic Forum in Delhi.
Quoting reports that the weapon technology transfers to North Korea were taking place just a few months ago, Pallone said the US assistance to Pakistan should focus only on education and uplifting social infrastructure and not military assistance as it may be used in the region and also against "ourselves".
He emphasised that it was in the interest of US to have influence in the economic and political arena of Pakistan rather than military area.
Stating that though US was rather hypocritical in its approach where Pakistan was concerned, he said there had been a change in its perception regarding India, which was being reflected in the enhancement of defence cooperation between the two.
However, he said there was a need on both sides to increase trade with each other.
India Caucus would focus more on
trade related issues, especially Intellectual Property Rights and lifting
of trade barriers faced by specific industries such as steel and textiles,
he added.