Mubarak should see the writing on the wall: India

New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) In a subtle suggestion thatPresident Hosni Mubarak should step down, India today saidEgypt''s rulers should see the "writing on the wall" as ithoped that "sane, rational and pluralistic" leadership wouldover power there.

"People of Egypt are fairly clear in their thinking andin their action and those who are ruling Egypt must see thewriting on the wall," External Affairs Minister S M Krishnasaid in an interview to ''Headlines Today''.

"It will be in the larger interest of the region and inthe larger interest of our bilateral relationship that theleadership is taken over by a sane, rationalist, pluralisticleadership which will be of benefit to the people of Egypt andour bilateral relationship," Krishna said in reply to aquestion.

Noting that India was closely monitoring the developmentsin Egypt which is witnessing mass movement against Mubarak, hedid not rule out the possibility of Muslim Brotherhood, agroup opposing Mubarak, coming to power in the country.

Asked to comment on an opinion that the developments inEgypt may also affect Pakistan, the minister said India willwill have to wait and see how the situation emerges and thentake a position.

"India believes in democracy, we believe in democraticvalues, we believe in the rule of law and we believe thatother countries should also respect the wishes of the people,"he said. PTI SKU AKK