The Hindu : Putin's warning on Pak. n-weapons `serious': PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 03, 2002

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Putin's warning on Pak. n-weapons `serious': PM

Shimla Dec. 2. Endorsing the Russian President, Vladimir Putin's fears on Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorists, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, today asked the international community, especially Islamabad's allies, to take note of the ``serious threat''. Mr. Vajpayee was responding to questions from newspersons about Mr. Putin's remarks that the weapons of mass destruction in Pakistan could fall into terrorists' hands.

``If there is a threat that Pakistan's weapons of mass destruction will land up in the hands of extremists there is a serious threat. We should take note of it.'' On Indo-Pak. relations, Mr. Vajpayee regretted the delay in Islamabad's failure to reciprocate India's gesture in according the Most Favoured Nation status to that country. ``We must delink bilateral issues from steps to strengthen trade and economic cooperation in the region,'' he added.

A `trusted friend'

In New Delhi, Mr. Vajpayee said in an interview to the Russian news channel Itar-Tass that Mr. Putin was a `trusted friend'.

``We have stood by each other through thick and thin and we understand each other well. No attempt to create misunderstandings between us has succeeded.'' Observing that he has a ``deep personal relationship'' with Mr. Putin, he said ``we keep meeting regularly. If need be, we talk on the phone. Discussions are always very frank. There is no hesitation in our hearts when we talk.'' — PTI

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