Krishna echoes Gates, hints India could attack Pak

In the backdrop of the US remarks that India would have limited patience if a Mumbai-type attack recurs, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna today said the government will have to be prepared to meet any eventuality.

"Yes, that is a worrying development because having been a victim of an earlier attack, gone through the anguish, the agony, the trauma, I think India certainly will have to be prepared to meet any such eventuality," he said.

Krishna was asked to comment on US Defence Secretary Robert Gates' remarks that terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Toiba were focusing on destabilising India.

"Of course, the defence forces and the Home Ministry are in close touch and coordination with the External Affairs Ministry and it will be our endeavour to maintain peace and tranquillity within India," he said.

Earlier, inaugurating the Delhi Dialogue-II between India and ASEAN, Krishna favoured greater cooperation among developing countries to have an effective voice in international financial architecture and a new global economic order.

He talked about a regional approach on energy matters which can accommodate competing demands and constraints while shifting the focus from competition to cooperation.

Krishna underlined that India was ready to allocate up to $50 million to support several initiatives to strengthen links with the ASEAN member nations.