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India ready to face any challenge: Vajpayee

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee says India is ready to face any challenge posed by the sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries.

Addressing over 300 jubilant BJP workers at his home, Vajpayee said it was necessary for India to conduct the nuclear tests since it faces threats from China and Pakistan.

He said he hoped the Western powers would not impose sanction but since they had, India would face it without difficulty.

The prime minister said the nuclear test was not a political gimmick, but a demonstration of his party's concern about India's security.

''Ideally we should have a nuclear-free world, but the world isn't so. We feel that the world's situation should be such that all people feel protected and equal,'' Vajpayee said.

UNI

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