Prime Minister Vajpayee’s letter to Mr. George W. Bush, President of United States of America

October 1, 2001
New Delhi

I write this with anguish at the most recent terrorist attack in our state of Jammu and Kashmir, which has killed 27 people so far and injured over 60, through a car bomb outside the state parliament. A Pakistan-based terrorist organisation, Jaish-e-Muhammad, claimed responsibility for the dastardly act and named a Pakistani national based in Pakistan as one of the suicide bombers involved.

There has been understandable anger in the country at this wanton act of violence. Ironically it comes only a day after the President of Pakistan announced on television that Pakistan has no terrorist groups operating from its territory.

Mr. President, the world is still coming to terms with the horrendous events of September 11. India joined wholeheartedly with the United States in its goal for the destruction and defeat of the global terror network which you eloquently announced in your Address to the Congress. With you we condemned any nation that continues to harbour or support terrorism.

We fully understand that in resolutely countering the terrorism that attacked USA on September 11 you are discharging your core responsibility for the interest and security of the people of the United States of America. We are with you and do not wish to overload the agenda in any way. However, incidents of this kind raise questions for our security which, as a democratically elected leader of India, I have to address in our supreme national interest. Pakistan must understand that there is a limit to the patience of the people of India.

I have asked my External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, who is now in Washington, to convey to you more fully our sentiments in this regard.