India closely watching Pakistan situation
May 15, 2007 - 8:47:43 PM
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In what is seen as the worst political infighting in Pakistan in two decades, over 40 people have been killed and dozens injured since violence erupted in Karachi Saturday, resulting in a nationwide strike on Monday and a major crackdown by the security forces.
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By IANS,
[RxPG] New Delhi, May 15 - India is closely watching the escalating unrest and violence in Pakistan, but is hopeful that the peace process will remain insulated from political vagaries in that country.
The external affairs ministry has kept a studied silence on the volatile situation in Pakistan as it would amount to interference in its internal affairs.
But well-placed sources said that the intensity of violence in the Pakistani port city of Karachi over the last three days is keeping diplomats and Pakistan-watchers busy as this kind of instability can adversely impact on a delicately poised peace process between the two countries.
New Delhi is, however, not worried so much by any possible change of regime in Pakistan with elections due later this year. 'India has a broad policy of engaging Pakistan across the board and will deal with whoever is in power in that country,' the sources said.
But at the same time it's important that partners in the dialogue have to be credible, the source added.
With such turmoil going on in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is unlikely to visit that country soon, the source added.
In what is seen as the worst political infighting in Pakistan in two decades, over 40 people have been killed and dozens injured since violence erupted in Karachi Saturday, resulting in a nationwide strike on Monday and a major crackdown by the security forces.
The strike that elicited an overwhelming response from lawyers across the nation and that led to a complete shutdown of Pakistan's civil and higher courts in support of Chaudhry is seen as the most serious challenge yet to President Pervez Musharraf's authority since he came to power nearly eight years ago.
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