NEW DELHI, Feb 12: In remarks that had the tone of a troubled past, Pakistan cautioned India on Monday against an arms race in the region and even more tersely told New Delhi that it would not accept anyone's hegemony in South Asia.

"Pakistan does not seek regional hegemony nor will we accept it from any other country. We seek peace, which can only be achieved through strength and not weakness. Our defence posture is guided by the doctrine of minimum credible deterrence. We do not wish to enter into a conventional or strategic arms race with any country," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azim told a conference in New Delhi.

The remarks by the state minister came at a meeting of the Rotary Club. But they are considered significant because they precede next week's high-profile visit to Delhi by Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri.

"We have offered a Strategic Restraint Regime to India to prevent an arms race in strategic and conventional weapons. We remain concerned, however, about the induction of new weapon systems into the region such as anti-ballistic missiles," Mr Azim said.

"We are also apprehensive that selective availability of civilian nuclear technology would enable the increase in quantities of fissile material for nuclear warheads in the region. In such a situation, we would need to take measures to ensure the capability and credibility of our deterrence."

The barb appeared to be aimed equally at the United States, which has agreed to supply India material help for its civilian nuclear plants.

Mr Azim then waded into what any country, not the least India, would consider its domestic affair -– the death sentence passed on Kashmiri convict Afzal Guru for his alleged involvement in the attack on India's parliament. The minister questioned the official probe into the incident. However, since Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee had themselves raised questions on the issue when they were in the opposition in December 2001, Mr Azim may have kindled a tricky controversy for Delhi to handle.

The Vajpayee government had blamed Pakistan for the attack. Mr Azim said: "Accusations without foundations can cause untold damage to the peace process. Celebrated Indian writer Arundathi Roy asked 13 questions about the tragic incident of December 13, 2001, which has created doubts about the story of security forces.