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In an obvious reference to possible links between Pakistani nuclear scientists and Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network, India on Friday voiced serious concern over weapons of mass destruction falling into terrorist hands, but ruled out chances of a nuclear arms race in the subcontinent.
"In this war against terrorism, what we should be worried about is weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists," External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh told reporters after talks with visiting Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou in New Delhi.
Asked about the possibility of a nuclear arms race in the region as a result of the developments in Afghanistan, Singh said, "Please put your mind at rest. We are not reinventing the Cold War."
"Any talk about new or old arms race is a figment of imagination. There is no arms race," he said, addressing a joint press conference.
Maintaining that the United States-led military campaign in Afghanistan should not be a "uni-dimensional effort", Singh said the military strikes were only one component of the war against terrorist, with the others being diplomatic, economic, political and psychological.
"Air strikes have limited effectiveness and they should not be treated in isolation," he said, adding that US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was already readdressing the tactics in Afghanistan.
Asked if Washington was pursuing a dual policy by involving Pakistan in the battle against terror despite Islamabad's support to cross-border terrorism, Papandreou said it was "important" to rally "all strengths" to combat the menace.
"Pakistan is also on board," he said.
The Greek minister, who came on a day-long visit from Islamabad, said Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar had told him that his government was "not in favour of retaining the Taleban regime".
Backing New Delhi's stand, Papandreou asserted that a post-Taleban set up in Afghanistan should be "broad-based representing all sections of the people".
PTI
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