Click to play videoNew Delhi: National Security Advisor M K Narayanan has said that India will continue to do business with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.
Speaking exclusively to Karan Thapar on Devil’s Advocate, he indicated that the view in New Delhi was that Musharraf’s election would be ratified by a new Parliament elected after the January elections.
Stating that Musharraf has put all his loyalists in key positions in the Army, Narayanan said if it remains united knowing there is a lot to gain by way of privileges and perks, it may be willing to back a civilian president.
He alluded to other similar transitions from military to civilian rule around West Asia, which had lasted for two decades and more.
Excerpts from the interview:
M K Narayanan: I think as of now he is an elected President but the legitimacy of his presidency will have to be declared properly after the new parliament approves of it with a two-thirds majority.
As things stand it does seem possible he will be ratified with that majority. If that happens then he will be the legitimate President of Pakistan and I think we will do business with him. We've done business with him in the past and I think we will continue to do business with him.
Karan Thapar: So you think that he will be able to mange these incipient transitions also.
M K Narayanan: I must say there is a certain amount of grudging respect for the manner in which President Musharraf has managed to overcome his previous struggles. He's moved from a military president to a civilian president. He's managed to see there is no boycott to the election to the Assembly.
To some extent he has managed to ride (it out). At least definitely in the short term it should be possible (for him to succeed). If he manages to do so in the long term then, of course, he's a very able person.
Karan Thapar: So he remains a credible interlocutor for India?
M K Narayanan: Yes, by and large he will remain a credible interlocutor to that extent. We will do business with whoever has the stamp of approval in Pakistan.
Catch the full interview with National Security Advisor M K Narayanan on Sunday on Devil's Advocate at 8:30 pm
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