If Pakistan had not accepted the demand to stop cross-border infiltration and the United States had not conveyed to us Pakistan's guarantee to do so, then nothing could have stopped a war.

If Pakistan had not accepted the demand to stop cross-border infiltration and the United States had not conveyed to us Pakistan's guarantee to do so, then nothing could have stopped a war.

My message to the people and rulers of Pakistan is, 'As neighbours, we want peace and friendship and cooperation with you so that together we can change the face of South Asia.'

We are unnecessarily wasting our precious resources in wars... if we must wage war, we have to do it on unemployment, disease, poverty, and backwardness.

Indian democracy's greatest strength is that we have always put the nation above politics.

India helped Bangladesh to achieve independence. The Bangladeshis should remain happy inside the territory of their own country.

The regional parties have emerged as a strong force, and they, too, deserve a place in national politics.

India was secular even when Muslims hadn't come here and Christians hadn't set foot on this soil. It is not as if India became secular after they came. They came with their own modes of worship, and they, too, were given a place of honor and respect. They had the freedom to worship God as per their wish and inclination.

Poverty is multidimensional. It extends beyond money incomes to education, health care, political participation and advancement of one's own culture and social organisation.

I dream of an India that is prosperous, strong and caring. An India, that regains a place of honour in the comity of great nations.

I believe that democracy is the best guarantor for peace and cooperation among nations.

You can change friends but not neighbours.