Wary, India keeps a close eye on Pakistan

Even as it keeps a close eye on the military-civilian government tussle in Pakistan, India is concerned about the possible fallout, especially the endgame in Afghanistan and the peace-process getting the desired push from Islamabad. Jayanth Jacob reports.

Even as it keeps a close eye on the military-civilian government tussle in Pakistan, India is concerned about the possible fallout, especially the endgame in Afghanistan and the peace-process getting the desired push from Islamabad.

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While instability in neighbourhood can naturally be a cause of concern for India, it is ready to deal with whoever is in power in Pakistan to normalise ties. New Delhi is worried that about the affect Pakistan’s domestic power tussle will have on the endgame in Afghanistan.

With the US-Pakistan friction also remaining unresolved, the Afghanistan situation can worsen. “Whatever happens in Afghanistan has a national security implications for India,” said a government official.

Officials also feel when a government is plagued with a host of issues such as power struggles “of this scale” it will not be able to give an all-out push to the peace process.

“We have been told that Pakistan army is on board for the peace process. All stake-holders are on board for the normalisation of ties with India,” quipped a source.

“We are watching the developments. We cannot say who should be in power in Pakistan. Though we prefer a democratic government in Pakistan, we have been dealing with whoever is in power in Pakistan. That’s how it has been and how it will be. We deal with the government of Pakistan,” a senior official said.

Responding to a question on the civilian-military tussle in Pakistan, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai had said in January, “India has had a chequered history in dealing with Pakistan in the past. Be that as it may, we can choose friends but you can’t choose neighbours.”

He had also said, “Whether you like it or you don’t like it, you need to find a way to get along and manage a normal relationship irrespective of who is in government in Pakistan.”