We won without going to war: PM

He said that the country was prepared and ready for war had it not been for Pakistan’s commitment to stop infiltration and Washington delivering that guarantee to New Delhi.

‘‘The country was ready for war. The Army at the border was waiting for instructions. If Pakistan had not agreed to stop infiltration and if the US had not delivered this guarantee to India, a war couldn’t have been avoided,’’ Vajpayee said.

Stressing the importance of New Delhi’s diplomacy in its campaign against terror, Vajpayee said: ‘‘There have been four wars against Pakistan. Never before has the international community been as supportive of India as it’s now. Without going to war, the victory India has achieved has a special significance.’’

On Pakistan’s threat to use nuclear weapons, Vajpayee said: ‘‘India was ready even for a nuclear war but we believed that (Pakistan) would never resort to anything as insane as this. Under international pressure, Pakistan’s UN representative who had threatened to use nuclear weapons had to take back his words. The world wasn’t ready to trust Pakistan but they had faith in us.’’

On the issue of Kashmir as well, diplomacy has worked, the Prime Minister said. ‘‘There’s been an unprecedented change in the world’s view on J&K. For the first time, the world says that whatever is happening in Kashmir isn’t a freedom struggle but terrorism. Pak has been isolated like never before.’’ Vajpayee denied that the presence of US troops in Pakistan had any role to play in India not taking military action.

In fact, he said, the presence of US troops ‘‘raised the importance of this region’’ and made the world aware of the ground realities here.

The Prime Minister admitted that imposition of economic sanctions was one of the tools being considered as part of the pressure on Pakistan. ‘‘But before that weapon could be used, Pakistan went down on its knees,’’ he said.

Whatever steps Musharraf has taken, Vajpayee said, ‘‘these are for the benefit of Pakistan.’’ But a large section of Pak society is hardline, said the Prime Minister, and ‘‘it sees this as a sign of Pak’s defeat. It’s Musharraf’s responsibility to take on this section. Saying that there was no question of talks with Pakistan, Vajpayee said that if ‘‘military-level talks are required to stop infiltration, this can happen.’’

On the possible Cabinet reshuffle, Vajpayee said: ‘‘A major reshuffle is possible. Two and a half years of this govt are over, it’s time to chart out steps for the future. The party and the govt both have to face the challenge.’’