External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters that he had developed a personal relationship with Pakistani leaders during his recent Islamabad visit indicating that India was ready to look beyond Musharraf. A few days ago India’s national security adviser had expressed concern that impeachment of Musharraf could leave a “big vacuum” that will give freedom to radical extremist elements “to do what they like in this country”. After an initial phase of bitterness involving the Kargil conflict and later the Operation Parakaram in the aftermath of an attack on Indian Parliament, Musharraf’s era witnessed considerable improvement in the bilateral relations. Analysts here believe that for the first time in over six decades, “new workable” ideas were thrown up to settle the Kashmir dispute. They have asked leaders of both countries to build up on these “win-win” ideas to settle the issue forever. Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said India would be engaging with anybody in power in Pakistan. “We will always be talking to government of Pakistan, whosoever it may be, the prime minister or the president,” Sharma said, hoping that this development “will not affect Indo-Pak relations”.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said it does not regret Musharraf’s exit. “We have no regrets that Pervez Musharraf’s rule has come to an end and he has to leave Pakistan,” senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told reporters. Noting that lack of stability in Pakistan is “dangerous” for India, Sinha said political instability in that country is a matter of concern and his party hoped that the present coalition would hold together.

source: Daily Times