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India will defend itself against Pak threats, says PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today cautioned Pakistan that India would not tolerate any threat to its national security and would take appropriate steps to preserve its national integrity.

In an indirect reference to Pakistan's threat that it was capable of developing a long-range missile, Vajpayee said, ''Even though the Cold War has ended, we in the subcontinent are quarrelling over long-forgotten issues.''

He said India was committed to maintaining friendly relations with all its neighbours. ''We have embarked upon nation-building activity.''

India is prepared to take any type of challenges and, if necessary, will take all possible steps and formulate policies to strengthen security and protect itself, Vajpayee said while addressing a public meeting in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of the first death anniversary of former Orissa chief minister Biju Patnaik.

The prime minister said, "Our policy is to seek cooperation and friendship but, it does not mean that we will remain a silent spectator if somebody tries to frighten us."

Without naming any country, Vajpayee said new weapons were being made and "announced to frighten us, but we are prepared to face any challenge to defend ourselves".

The prime minister said, "We do not like to interfere in others's internal affairs, let them also not interfere in ours."

Vajpayee said the situation in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir had been totally peaceful as the people have rejected all attempts to mislead the youth.

The government, he said, was also keen to resolve the problems of Assam and other north-eastern states.

The prime minister, who did not make any direct reference to Pakistan, however, said, ''A neighbouring country is trying to threaten us but they should know that we will not give in to any kind of threats.''

If necessary, we will not hesitate to take any extreme step to defend ourselves, he added.

He asserted that there should not be any apprehension in the minds of the people about the secular character of the government.

The prime minister made a scathing attack on the United Front and the Congress, saying that they were only "united to fight against us but not prepared to form the government."

He lamented that, even after 50 years of Independence, the country was lagging behind in many aspects in comparison to other nations. "We had not given enough attention to education, health, drinking water and other social sectors," he said.

Vajpayee said the development of social sectors had to be taken up on a priority basis to fulfil social obligations.

''The chapter of despair is closed and now we are knocking at the door with a new hope and aspiration''.

UNI

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