Berlin, May 28: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said yesterday that the India will continue to search for peace with Pakistan without relent but there would be no compromise on country’s security. The Prime Minister will meet German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder today. The issue of terrorism is likely to dominate the discussion between the two leaders. Yesterday, while addressing the Indian community at a reception here hosted by the Indian Ambassador to Germany T C A Rangachari, Vajpayee said there could be an apparent contradiction between efforts for peace and preparations for defence. "Shanti ki aradhana karte samai shanti ki raksha chod nahi sakta hun (when we campaign for peace, we cannot give up security for peace)", he said.
He said India wanted to live in peace with Pakistan and it was not impossible for the two countries to have friendly relations. Vajpayee said many could not understand how efforts for peace and preparations for defence could go together.
"We want peace but if it is not possible then we have to be prepared. The search for peace will go on. But if it is needed, we will not give up defence for peace," he said.
Referring to his recent Kashmir address when he embarked on his third and last attempt for peace with Pakistan, he also recalled his first and second initiatives. "I went to Lahore with a message of peace. The peace bus crashed with the Kargil mountains and went to smithreens. Even their prime minister (Nawaz Sharief) had to go. Then also I did not give up. I invited Gen Musharraf to Agra. He came but went on putting conditions that could not be fulfilled and the talks broke down," Vajpayee said. Bureau Report