New York: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said India has received strong support in its fight against terrorism from US President George Bush but ultimately "we will have to depend on our own strength to wipe out the scourge from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country".

During their meeting, Bush reiterated total commitment of his country against terrorism and condemned recent killings of innocent people in Jammu and Kashmir aimed at sabotaging the election process in the state, Vajpayee told a news conference in New York winding up his five-day visit to New York.

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Vajpayee said Bush expressed support for the election process in J and K saying it would help create a congenial atmosphere in the state and facilitate a discussion between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue.

Answering a question, Vajpayee rejected converting the Line of Control (LoC) into international boundary and denied he had discussed the issue with Bush.

"There is no question of having any discussion on the LoC," he said, adding no such proposal was ever made.

To a question, the Prime Minister said India-American relations could not be "Pak- centric".

That was the case once but now they have moved beyond that and the focus is on trade and co-operation in scientific, Defence and civilian nuclear space technology, he said.

Besides, emphasis is being laid on having an understanding of regional and global issues, Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee, flanked by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, stressed that Indo-US relations were no longer hostage to Indo-Pak ties.

The Prime Minister said it was agreed at his meeting with Bush that hurdles in initiation of strategic dialogue be removed so that the two countries lay a strong foundation of co-operation in the years to come whether they were in power or not.

"I told him that I may not be there but you will be," he said drawing laughter from reporters.

Vajpayee said he told the world leaders during several meetings with them that the fight against terrorism should be continued relentlessly and it should be ensured that there was no complacency.

Referring to 9/11, he said he had made it clear to them that terrorists knew no boundaries and they could strike any time, anywhere.

Recalling his meeting with Bush on September 12, Vajpayee expressed relief that September 11 had passed off peacefully. Bush told him that he was also worried that nothing untoward should happen.

But "terrorism can show its ugly face any day, any time and in any form", Vajpayee said.

Vajpayee said he and Bush "reaffirmed our commitment to a long-term relationship of trust and transparency between the two countries".

He said they also reviewed bilateral relations.

Vajpayee said he had a satisfying visit to New York where besides attending the 57th session of the UN General Assembly, he met a number of heads of state and government, US Congressmen and Senators and representatives of US and Indian community organisations.

PTI