Will Do Whatever Necessary For Nat'l Interest: Salman Khurshid

New Delhi, Aug 7, IRNA -- India Tuesday said it will weigh all options in the wake of an audacious attack by Pakistani troops that killed five soldiers without creating a situation detrimental to the country's peace and security. Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the government is aware of its responsibility and will do the right thing in the interest of the country after factoring in all options. We don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. We don't want to create a situation that is detrimental and destructive for India's security and peace. We will do whatever is absolutely necessary in national interest, he said. He was speaking after inaugurating an exhibition here. Khurshid, said the matter was discussed in Parliament today and Defense Minister A K Antony gave his statement based on whatever facts he had. He had asked the Army to gather more information on the incident. We have made it clear that we should not be understood weak or we aren't alert. We can face any challenge. What we have to do, government will decide seriously over the incident, he said, adding, no decision can be taken in a day. Asked about his opinion on Oppositions demand for a befitting reply to Pakistan, Khurshid said he would not take their advice as they don't understand (what national interest is). I don't want to behave like the Opposition behaves. I wouldn't take their advice. I would do whatever I believe is in national interest. Sadly Opposition doesn't understand, but we know what national interest is, we know our duty and obligation and we will fulfill it, I can assure you, he said. I feel the concern and the pain and I feel the responsibility because we are in the government, he said./end