Berlin: Pledging not to compromise with the country's security while seeking peace with Pakistan, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has said it is not impossible for the two countries to have friendly relations.

Apprising the Indian community of his latest peace initiatives with Pakistan including the decision to resume the Delhi-Lahore bus service, the Prime Minster said at a reception on May 27 that "This time the bus will not break down."

Asserting that the search for peace with Pakistan would be pursued relentlessly, he said, there could be an apparent contradiction between efforts for peace and preparations for defence.

"Shanti ki aradhana karte samay, shanti ki raksha chod nahi sakta hoon (when we campaign for peace, we cannot forego security for peace)," he said.

Vajpayee said many could not understand how efforts for peace and preparations for defence could go together.

"We want peace but if it is not possible then we have to be prepared. The search for peace will go on. But if it is needed we will not give up defence for peace."

Wondering why India and Pakistan could not live in peace, Vajpayee said it was possible for the two countries to resolve problems through dialogue.

PTI