Vajpayee's enunciation of India's nuclear doctrine in the context of the Pokharan tests and a veiled attack on Islamabad's instigation of sectarian fundamentalism in India came during delegation-level talks he had with Oman's ruler sultan Qaboos Bin Al Aaid shortly after he landed in this resort town on the first leg of his four-nation tour.

``We are, aware, your majesty, that under your enlightened leadership Oman too opposes extremism and terrorism and we are confident that you will raise your voice with us to condemn it wherever it manifests itself,'' the prime minister told his host.

Vajpayee was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included chemicals and fertiliser minister Surjit Singh Barnala and petroleum minister Vazhapadi K Ramamurthy.

Reiterating India's commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in the region, Vajpayee said the two components of our nuclear dootrine, minimum deterrence and no-first use, indicate that just as our tests were not directed against any country, our deterrent posture is a defensive posture.``This should allay all apprehensions about a nuclear arms race, accidental use or escalation of any sort. India's long-standing commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament remains undiluted,'' Vajpayee said.

The prime minister said India believed and continued to believe that its security and indeed of others, could be assured either through universal disarmament or through equal and legitimate security for all. ``We will continue to take initiatives to free the world of nuclear weapons,'' he asserted.

Referring to the scourge of sectarian fundamentalism and use of terror to project its point of view and power, Vajpayee said for nearly 20 years India has been a victim of such extremist violence, encouraged within its territory from across the border.

``The Indian people have paid a heavy price in terms of lives lost and property destoryed in combating this evil. Our war against terror will continue,'' the prime minister said.

Vajpayee said India had welcomed the Middle East peace process as a step in the right direction and was conscious of Arab preception of peace as a strategic option.

``India supports the imperative need for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region based on UN Security Council resolutions and the principle of land for peace,'' he said.

Vajpayee said India was deeply concerned at the stalling of the peace process due to Israel's refusal to withdraw from the occupied Arab territories and continuing with its settlement activities there.

Vajpayee said the end of the cold war had provided us with an iniquitous world order in which a few dveloped nations wielded enormous political, economic and military power to pursue their self-centred ends while the overwhelming majority was compelled to accept their dictates.

``In this situation, we are convinced that the non-aligned movement remains the only effective vehicle to safeguard interests of the developing world, to further the principles of democracy and freedom in international affairs, and to promote a more equal and just world order,'' he said.

He expressed confidence that at the NAM summit in South Africa, India and Oman would work together to promote political and socio-economic justice and disarmament.