Raipur, Nov 26: In his first public comments on the border ceasefire, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said Pakistan agreed to it "after long persuasion" and expressed confidence that the truce would last long and cross-border terrorism would end. "After long persuasion, Pakistan has agreed for the ceasefire and I am sure it will last long," he told an election rally here.
He expressed the hope that cross-border terrorism will end and the Indo-Pak relation will improve adding, "The neighbour has to think about that.”
Referring to the achievements of his government, the Prime Minister said there was pressure not to go for nuclear tests but they went ahead as India's nuclear programme was defensive in nature.
After the nuclear tests, "the foreign dignitaries had not only stopped coming to India but also stopped inviting us", he said.
"However, because of the good work of the government, there is a queue of foreign guests to the country and also invitation from them," Vajpayee said.

Bureau Report