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Vajpayee, Blair discuss nuke tests

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had a 12-minute telephone discussion with his British counterpart Tony Blair, during which he is understood to have explained the reasons for India's nuclear tests.

Vajpayee spoke to Blair around 1930 hours on Friday evening, just before the start of the G-8 summit at Birmingham in England.

Pramod Mahajan, the prime minister's political advisor, refused to divulge details of the conversation. All he would say was that Vajpayee called up Blair.

On Friday, Blair said the Group of 8 nations have decided not to impose any collective sanctions against India. He, however, expressed dismay over India's action.

The issue of India's nuclear tests is expected to dominate deliberations at the G-8 summit.

Mahajan expressed happiness over the British prime minister's statement that there would be no collective sanctions against India. He said no world leader had so far replied to Vajpayee's letter sent to them soon after the first series of explosions.

UNI

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