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Vajpayee chides Western world for double standards on cross-border terrorism

Chiding the international community for adopting 'double standards' on the issue of combating terrorism, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Saturday night accused the Western world of turning a blind eye to Pakistan sponsoring terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The militants are armed by our neighbour. They kill innocent men, women and children. But Pakistan claims they are only aiding a freedom struggle," Vajpayee, who returns on Sunday night at the end of his three-nation week long trip to Cyprus, Denmark and United Kingdom, told members of the Indian community at a reception in London.

The prime minister said the three countries he visited had shown a better understanding of India's concerns and also acknowledged it as an emerging global power.

The prime minister, who regaled the audience with his poetry Kadam Milake Chalna Hoga, said while India had made giant strides in a number of spheres, it was unfortunate the number of poor in the country had also gone up.

Lauding the outstanding achievements of Indians abroad, Vajpayee, in a lighter vein, wondered aloud why Indians back home could not make such progress.

Regretting the habitual negative approach of the opposition parties, Vajpayee has sought their cooperation for pursuing constructive policies his government has suggested for the country's speedy development.

He recalled that despite being a bitter critic of Indira Gandhi and widespread criticism over some of her policies, he had supported her step of ushering in the Green Revolution as it was a good policy.

"But nowadays, even the good work being done by the government is opposed," Vajpayee told the large gathering, which gave him a standing ovation.

He, however, recalled that on the day Parliament was attacked by terrorists in December last year, Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi had telephoned him to enquire about his welfare and he in turn sought to know her whereabouts.

"At times of crisis, we have so much of concern for each other. This reflects a true and thriving democracy. Parties may come and go but the strengths of parliamentary democracy will take the nation to greater heights," he said.

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