The Prime Minister said that there would no change whatsoever in India's peace-oriented policy. Addressing a meeting of MPs from the BJP and its allies parties this morning (at which the resolution was adopted), Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said that from now on, India would pursue the goal of peace and disarmament with renewed strength.

The emphasis on peace is seen as a move aimed as much at defusing the fire of the Opposition in Parliament as the international community which has been alarmed at the government's aggressive statements on China and Pakistan.

He called on Opposition parties to display responsibility, maturity and "a keen awareness of global realities" when they participate in the debate on the nuclear tests. "I would like tosee the national consensus which has evolved on this issue over the years become even stronger after the debate," he said. He pointed out that no previous government had taken the initiative to have such an intensive dialogue on the nuclear issue with Opposition parties as his government had done, not even in 1974.

However, the resolution also said that India was now the sixth nuclear weapons state in the world. The tests had helped strengthen national security as well as "created a nationwide wave of unity and self confidence", stated the resolution moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Lal Khurana. It also congratulated the Prime Minister and the team of scientists, engineers and the Indian Army for the successful tests.

The resolution also seemed to be aimed at projecting the coalition government as standing united on the nuclear tests, following reports that some allies like the Akali Dal were unhappy over the tests.

Vajpayee denied that the tests were motivated by political considerations."This is far from the truth. Indeed, such criticism itself is motivated," he said. He described the session as one of "consolidation of victory".

"We should build on the solid foundation of good work and achievements in the interim period," he exhorted the MPs.

The successful nuclear tests marked the fulfilment of a key commitment in the National Agenda, he said. He urged the MPs to communicate both in Parliament and outside what the government has been trying to do for socio-economic development.

The prime minister also enumerated the other achievements of the government. These included raising the minimum support price of wheat, hiking the fertiliser subsidy by Rs 2,000 crore, giving counter-guarantees to three fast-track power projects and holding meetings to focus on internal security and developmental issues in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-Eastern states. All-party consultations for electoral reforms had also been promising, he said.

Vajpayee outlined the steps taken to fulfill thegovernment's commitment to removing bhay (fear), bhrashtachar (corruption) and bhookhI (hunger). Progress had already been made on the first two (presumably through the nuclear tests and the proposed Lok Pal Bill). "I am sure we will also show concrete results in removing bhookh," he said.