The overwhelming public sentiment in India was that no meaningful dialogue can be held with Pakistan until it abandons the use of terrorism as an instrument of its foreign policy.

Our nuclear weapons are meant purely as a deterrent against nuclear adventure by an adversary.

No state should be allowed to profess partnership with the global coalition against terror, while continuing to aid, abet and sponsor terrorism.

We hope the world will act in the spirit of enlightened self-interest.

People who ask us when we will hold talks with Pakistan are perhaps not aware that over the last 55 years, every initiative for a dialogue with Pakistan has invariably come from India.

You can change friends but not neighbours.

I have a vision of India-an India free of hunger and fear, an India free of illiteracy and want.