India declines comment on Musharraf's resignation

New Delhi, Aug 18 (UNI) India today declined comment on the resignation of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, describing it an ''internal matter of Pakistan''.

''We have no comments to make on the resignation of President Musharraf of Pakistan. This is an internal matter of Pakistan,'' External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in a brief response to questions.

Although the External Affairs Ministry declined comment, senior officials expressed fears that with President Musharraf's exit, the fragile elected government may not have total control over the Army and the ISI which was responsible for the terrorist attack on Indian embassy in Afghanistan last month.

The post-elected government period has also witnessed a spurt in terrorist activities against India.

National Security Adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan has also expressed concern over President Musharraf's exit.

''Whether he is impeached or not, is not important from the Indian point of view. But it leaves a big vacuum and we are deeply concerned about this vacuum because it leaves the radical extremist outfits with freedom to do what they like, not merely on Pakistan-Afghan border but clearly on our side of the border too.'' Mr Narayanan said in an interview with a Singapore-based daily last month.

Earlier today, President Musharraf announced his resignation to escape possible impeachment and said he was resigning to save the country from sliding into instability.

The resignation follows months of uncertainty over his future and confrontation with the new democratically-elected government.

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