Defence Minister George Fernandes on Tuesday said Pakistan would cease to exist if India responds in the event of any nuclear misadventure from across the border.

"We will suffer a little but there will be no Pakistan when we respond," he said reacting to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's threat of nuking India if Indian soldiers cross the Line of Control.

Address the ongoing Confederation of Indian Industries Partnership Summit 2003 in Hyderabad, Fernandes asked the Pakistani leadership not to talk about using nuclear weapons and get into the 'idea of committing suicide'.

Describing as 'irresponsible' Musharraf's statement, Fernandes said, "The Pakistani leadership should know about its strengths and vulnerabilities. Such a talk will not help them or the world."