India and Pakistan came close to war as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors escalated over the past several months, according to Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.
"It was a touch-and-go affair," Mr Vajpayee told the US magazine Newsweekin an interview released today.
"I did not rule out the possibility of war. Until the last minute we were hoping that wiser counsels would prevail."
The two South Asian nations found themselves on the brink of war following an attack on the Indian parliament in December allegedly by Pakistan-based gunmen active in Kashmir's decade-old separatist insurgency. Between them, the two nations have one million troops massed along their common border.
Already simmering tension nearly boiled over in mid-May when three militants struck at a bus and an army camp in Indian Kashmir, killing 32 soldiers and their families before they themselves were gunned down.
Tensions grew between the two today after Pakistan claimed - and India denied - Indian troops had tortured and killed an unarmed Pakistani soldier.
Mr Vajpayee said Pakistan has not changed in its policy over cross-border infiltration into India-controlled Kashmir, despite its promises. He said 50 to 70 terrorist-training camps still exist in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir and in Pakistan.
But Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf told NewsweekPakistan may boost its military capabilities, citing increases by India in defence spending.
Asked if Pakistan planned to build up its conventional defenses, Gen Musharraf said: "Our army is enough for deterrence at the moment. But the Indians are increasing their defence budget, having contracted billions of dollars of purchases from Russia and the West. If they tilt the conventional balance, we shall have to restore it."
US intervention may be the only way the conflict-ridden neighbors can settle their differences, he said.
"I think the US is the only country which can persuade India to initiate a dialogue and move towards a solution of Kashmir. Bilateralism hasn't worked," Gen Musharraf said.
He had earlier said his troops would "teach India a lesson" if they invaded his country and that he "couldn't care less" about New Delhi's recent moves to scale down the threat of war. AFP