``Their actions,'' Vajpayee said, ``give the impression that India is untouchable but they must realize that the forces trying to isolate us will ultimately be isolated.''

Addressing a huge rally at the Kalchakra grounds here to mark the end of the Buddha Mahotsav, he justified the Pokharan tests saying that they were conducted keeping in mind the ``security of the country.'' He claimed that the partial withdrawal of sanctions had vindicated this stand. In another reference to Washington, he said: ``Whatever steps they may initiate against us, we are not going to succumb to their pressure tactics. Washington knows it well that our economy is quite strong.''

He said that the sanctions hadvirtually ``shattered the economic condition of Pakistan'' and India had to be ``cautious and not allow its economy to face the same fate.''

He repeated his stand on disarmament saying that countries which are ``sitting on piles of nuclear weapons should stop lecturing India and instead create pressure for disbanding these weapons.''

On his first visit to Bihar as Prime Minister, Vajpayee was true to form. He struck a philosophical tone in his speech. ``I was never interested in becoming the Prime Minister,'' he said.

The Bihar government came in for attack when Vajpayee called Bihar a ``sick state'' where a ``mafia raj'' existed and cautioned the Rabri Devi Government not to ``indulge in wasteful expenditure of Central money.'' He said that he was keeping a ``close, personal watch on Bihar'' and referring to what he called an increase in ``criminal activities and in politicians patronising criminals,'' Vajpayee called upon the state government to be ``responsible and keep itspromises.''

Taking a dig at CM Rabri Devi who was also present, Vajpayee said: ``She should not mind but it is the responsibility of the state government to provide roads to the people. Here there are only potholes in the name of roads and it's difficult to identify which is a road.''

No Bias

WASHINGTON: The Clinton administration has challenged India's accusation that the United States is out to favour Pakistan over New Delhi even in the relaxation of its five-month-old nuclear-related economic sanctions. ``There is no discrimination. Nor, is there any differentiation,'' Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian affairs Karl Inderfurth said yesterday, in an obvious reference to the external affairs ministry's statement, alleging a ''selective and discriminatory approach,'' on the part of the United States. India's objection appears to be related to the announcement here on Friday, along with the partial lifting of sanctions.