Experts see a Pak regime conducive for developing ties

The emphatic victory of PML N chief Nawaz Sharif in Pakistans elections,along with the conclusion of the democratic process there,was welcomed by Indian experts tracking developments in the neighbouring country.

Former foreign secretary Lalit Mansingh said that New Delhi will have a good comfort zone while dealing with Sharif,since the establishment has dealt with him in the past. Sharif should be more confident since last time the Pakistan army was influencing him and later betrayed him, he said. But this time,he said that Sharif has a better mandate and therefore,should be be able to keep his word. Mansingh noted that Sharifs party manifesto was the most friendly towards India,and the former Pakistan PM has said that he wants to pick up the thread from where he left. However,he expressed concern how Sharif would deal with the Pakistan Taliban since they did not target him and Imran Khan. Sooner or later,the Pakistan Taliban will demand their pound of flesh,it remains to be seen how he handles them, Mansingh said. Another source of anxiety,Mansingh said will be Pakistans role in the transition of Afghanistan next year,where it can be a spoiler. Whether the government under Sharif will toe the ISIs line or develop an independent line on Afghanistan,will be a thing to watch out for, he said,adding that Sharif was New Delhis best bet.

Dr Ajay Darshan Behera from Jamia Millia Islamias Pakistan Studies Programme also felt that Sharif was positive towards India. He is a businessman,and will not be averse to developing economic relations with India, he said,noting that Pakistans economy is in a mess.

That Sharif bodes well for India was echoed by another former foreign secretary,Salman Haider,who said,Sharif has been invoking positive statements,he had good relations with Atal Bihari Vajpayee,I K Gujral. India should try and be ready to talk to him.

G Parthasarathy,who was Indias High Commissioner in Islamabad,said that Pakistan has chosen an experienced and seasoned political leader rather than a maverick like Imran Khan. They have voted for Sharif who can deliver about their own problems, he said. However,he noted that Sharif has had a chequered record,and that the 1993 Mumbai blasts were executed by DG ISI Javed Nasir,who was hand-picked by the former Pakistan PM.

Behera agreed that Sharif had a chequered record,but said that so did Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf. But Musharraf,he said,was ready to resolve Kashmir with his proposal.

Mansingh said that a known devil is better than an unknown one, and added that India will give Sharif the benefit of doubt.