Atal Bihari Vajpayee

“As we talk with candour, we open the doors to new possibilities and new areas of cooperation in advance in democracy, in combating terrorism, in energy and environment, science and technology and international peacekeeping.”

“It requires an effort of logical acrobatics to believe that carnage of innocents is an instrument for freedom and elections are a symbol of deception and repression!”

“Let me make one thing clear. I have never considered mere survival in power as any achievement, just as I have never seen coming to power as an achievement in itself.”

“Population needs to be stabilised for sustainable development.”

“Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing.”

“Violence does not contribute to anything.”

“India has never played politics with national security.”

“It is a matter of concern that science departments in India's vast university system have suffered greatly due to lack of investments, both material and in terms of faculty.”

“There was an implicit conviction that the UN would be stronger than the sum of its constituent member-states.”

“The BJP is not a party dependent on a single individual, nor is it tied to the apron strings of a family.”

“We believe in equal respect for all faiths.”

“The UN's unique legitimacy flows from a universal perception that it pursues a larger purpose than the interests of one country or a small group of countries.”

“People who ask us when we will hold talks with Pakistan are perhaps not aware that over the last 55 years, every initiative for a dialogue with Pakistan has invariably come from India.”

“My message to the people and rulers of Pakistan is, 'As neighbours, we want peace and friendship and cooperation with you so that together we can change the face of South Asia.'”

“You can change friends but not neighbours.”

“Let no one challenge India's secularism.”

“India has a legitimate right to becoming a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.”

“Poverty is multidimensional. It extends beyond money incomes to education, health care, political participation and advancement of one's own culture and social organisation.”

“No state should be allowed to profess partnership with the global coalition against terror, while continuing to aid, abet and sponsor terrorism.”

“I am contesting elections since 1952, but never did I throw mud.”