Choke all support to terrorists: PM

Regretting the 'double standards' of some countries on tackling international terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday said many of them shared India's perspective on choking off support to terror, but fell short in action due to 'immediate political considerations.'

He said there is not so much danger of an Indo-Pak nuclear conflict as there is of disruption of peace and security by terrorism.

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"The effort against terrorism has, therefore, to be global and comprehensive...all democratic countries should join wholeheartedly in it. It is with this conviction that India joined the international coalition against terrorism," he said in an interview to a daily Matichon.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Vajpayee said New Delhi has been arguing that some of the members of the coalition are themselves part of the problem. "We cannot overlook this, or apply double standards to terrorist acts depending on where they occur, or who perpetrates them," he said.

"Instead of getting diverted by futile debates on the definition of terrorism or on its root causes, we should focus on choking off all sources of support - sustenance, arms, training or finances for terrorism," Vajpayee said.

He said many nations shared these perspectives but immediate political considerations sometimes discouraged firm and unequivocal action against some perpetrators or accomplices of terrorism.

"The horrific terrorist acts of 9/11 aroused the consciousness of the world to the global menace of terrorism. They showed that distance and power provide no immunity or security from the depredations of terrorism," he said adding that as a victim for over two decades, India has always proactively supported international efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Asserting that India cannot not have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan till it stops sponsoring terrorism, Vajpayee said:  "The crucial point is that we will not negotiate with terrorism or its sponsors. Until the sponsorship of terrorism from across the border stops, we cannot have a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan."

On India's nuclear policy, the prime minister said India stands firmly by its no-first-use promise. "Our nuclear weapons are meant to deter irresponsible military adventurism. The danger in South Asia today is not so much of a nuclear war, as of the disruption of peace and security by unabated cross-border terrorism," the prime minister said.

Referring to his April peace initiative with Pakistan, Vajpayee said the process of normalisation of diplomatic and other links with Pakistan has made 'some progress.'

"This is not to overlook the political differences between the two countries which would naturally need to be addressed through bilateral dialogue. At the same time, it is logical that difficult issues can be more effectively addressed in an atmosphere of understanding and cooperation," the prime minister said.

He also said there have been important exchanges in business, culture and people-to-people contacts, including exchange of Parliamentarians from both sides.

"Our decision to provide free medical treatment to 20 Pakistani children was well received both here and in Pakistan," he said.