The unexpected attack came a day after Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's 23-party administration criticised the war in the Gulf after quibbling for two days over the wording of a statement.

The Telugu Desham Party (TDP), which has 23 MPs in parliament and whose support is crucial for the government's survival, criticised the administration over its statements on pre-emptive strikes in Pakistan.

"What prompted Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha to say what (the) US has done in Iraq, India can do in Pakistan," TDP leader in parliament's upper house, C. Ramachadraiah said, adding that it amounted to justifying the war against Iraq.

"Inconsistency has become the hallmark of our foreign policy for which the nation is paying a price."

Sinha rose to defend himself, saying his comments did not justify the US-led war on Iraq, which entered its 21st day on Wednesday.

"We know from experience, we know on the basis of evidence, that Pakistan does not fall in the same category as Iraq. It is in a much worse category. And therefore, it was in that context, that this reply was given by me that if these are the criteria, then Pakistan is a fitter case," Sinha said.

Sinha said his statement was in response to questions by reporters.

SPACE.WIRE