Our patience wearing thin: PM

‘‘The international community should understand that there is a limit to India’s restraint. We will see to what extent these attempts (by the international community) are successful, whether they are able to bring a stop to terrorism or not,’’ said the PM.

Shortly before the function, Defence Minister George Fernandes met the Prime Minister to brief him about the security situation. Vajpayee was also briefed by his security advisor, Brajesh Mishra, on yesterday’s meeting of the Atomic Energy Commission in Chennai.

In his speech, the PM touched on the issue of double standards on terrorism. ‘‘We want to say something to the world, with our neighbour listening. When the whole world is fighting terror and US forces are in Afghanistan, how long can we tolerate it in our country!’’

However, he added, all this did not mean that ‘‘we forego development. Today’s function clearly demonstrates this.’’ The 8.6-km long Rohtang tunnel, connecting Manali to the Lahaul valley, will take seven years to complete.

Meanwhile, Fernandes warned Pakistan against any move to consider the nuclear option. ‘‘In the current circumstances, it will be highly irresponsible for anyone in Pakistan to think that they can go ahead with a nuclear weapon. It may harm us but it will devastate them for all times to come,’’ he warned.

Speaking to The Indian Express while visiting the Snow and Avalanche Study Centre earlier this morning, he said the missile tests by Pakistan were not necessarily connected with nuclear delivery systems. ‘‘Pakistan has enough delivery mechanisms for this purpose. But the timing of the tests does not suggest they are routine, as is being claimed. It is a well-planned demonstration and betrays a kind of desperation,’’ he observed.

‘‘Musharraf is wise enough to know that this is no way to provoke us; it certainly cannot be done in this fashion,’’ he said.

Pakistan is no Iraq, India no US: Gen

Excerpts from an interview of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf with Washington Post:

* ‘‘Pakistan is no Iraq. India is no United States. We have forces. They follow a strategy of deterrence.’’ If deterrence fails, ‘‘we are very capable of an offensive defence…These words are very important. We’ll take the offensive into Indian territory.’’

* ‘‘I hope and I pray that we will never reach that stage (using the nuclear option). It’s too unthinkable.’’

* India has used massive border deployments and war threats in recent weeks ‘‘to destabilise me, my government and Pakistan’’.

* De-escalation should be accompanied by dialogue and reduction of atrocities within Kashmir. ‘‘The (Indian) military should leave the towns and cities of Kashmir and be in the outskirts.’’

* ‘‘Pakistan will not — repeat, will not — allow any foreign mercenaries, militants, anywhere inside Pakistan, whether they are infiltrating through Afghanistan or coming from any other place. Whether they are on our border belt, or in our cities, we will hunt them down.’’

* ‘‘The Indians want a Pakistan which remains subservient to them’’ and subcontracts foreign and economic policy to New Delhi. ‘‘They are arrogant, and they want to impose their will on every country in the region.’’