Islamabad: Observing that the "unease" between India and Pakistan was getting better, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz yesterday (Nov 29, 2004) said that Pakistan's nuclear and missile programme ensured "credible deterrence" and the best guarantee for peace in the region.

"The state of un-ease between Pakistan and India is getting better," Aziz told National Security Workshop in Islamabad at the National Defence College.

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"Pakistan believes in retaining minimum deterrence as a cornerstone of our national security policy and as a responsible and acknowledged nuclear power," he was quoted as saying by the official APP news agency while referring to the test firing of a short range nuclear-capable missile.

He said Pakistan had no aggressive designs against any other country, but "it will not let any country push it around...We will not be aggressive against anyone, but will not let any one be aggressive with us."

He claimed that it was only due to country's deterrent capability that things remained under control after the troop mobilisation by India two years ago. "This strategic capability is the anchor of peace and assurance of our stability and security."

He said terrorism was a new dimension threatening national security. "National Security therefore, is a complex mission that requires a coordinated and focussed effort from our entire society - the federal, provincial and local Governments, the private sector, and the people."