14 May 2004	Friday	23 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, May 13: Following the utterly unexpected defeat of the ruling BJP in the elections on Thursday Pakistan moved swiftly to renew its call for peace with India, saying it looks forward to pursuing this objective with the new government in New Delhi.

In its first reaction to the change of guard in New Delhi, a foreign ministry statement issued here on Thursday afternoon notes: "Pakistan desires peaceful and cooperative relations with India and looks forward to renewing the quest for promoting peace and stability in South Asia with the new government in India.

"Pakistan will endeavour to seek a peaceful settlement of all outstanding issues between the two countries, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute." Meanwhile, there appears to be a consensus among Pakistani politicians and policy-makers that the peace process will continue despite the change in New Delhi.

MENON'S 'OPEN HOUSE': Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad Shiv Shankar Menon and his wife on Thursday morning had an 'open house' for 'friends' to join them to watch the general election results as they were announced on NDTV.

The 'friends' invited to witness the world's largest democracy in action included ambassadors, former Pakistani diplomats, politicians, parliamentarians and senior journalists. Ambassadors from key western, European and South Asian capitals were also present.

Most conspicuous among the visitors was US ambassador Nancy Powell 'who also seemed baffled by the big upset'. Mr Menon and other Indian diplomats found it hard to conceal their amazement over the election results as they flashed on a mega-screen.

They conceded predictions had never been so way off the mark and the pre-election polls never as misleading as in these elections. High Commissioner Menon, who has been saying that peace with Pakistan is an abiding goal for the Indian government, was clear that commitment to peace process would continue.

Other Indian diplomats endorsed the view that the change would not rock the ongoing peace process with Pakistan. Their contention being that in India there has always been a strong consensus on foreign policy across the political divide.

The general assessment of Pakistani parliamentarians, politicians and former diplomats was also that there would be no substantive departure in India's policy towards Pakistan. It will be more of the same, was the dominant view in the Pakistan camp.

Former foreign minister Abdul Sattar said: "As I see it the peace process will continue and there will be no drastic deterioration or dramatic improvement in the ties". A former Pakistani diplomat was quick to remind that the worst atrocities in Kashmir were committed under the Congress government of Narasimha Rao.

While one Indian diplomat thought the change may slow down the momentum of the peace process because of the domestic demands of a new political set-up, some guests thought it may accelerate the process given that Congress, which claims credit for the peace line with Pakistan, would face no opposition from the BJP.

A senior Indian diplomat recounted the major steps the governments in New Delhi had taken soon after assuming power in the past: nuclear tests were conducted by the BJP government within 40 days and earlier in nineties, the Indian economy took a 180 degree turn when Mr Rao came to power. His point was that Congress could take some big step to vindicate its victory.

One political observer cautioned that winds of change in India could also blow across the border. "Whenever there is a change of government in India there is also a change of guard in Pakistan," he pointed out.

The Sri Lankan High Commissioner, however, did not appear too surprised at the election outcome. A change in government is almost inevitable after a five-year term given the scale of poverty and disenchantment in the region, was his view.

The Indian election verdict, he believed, only demonstrated that issues of food, shelter and health mattered more to people than foreign policy. "I see it as a celebration of democracy. The people have spoken loud and clear," remarked the Indian HC's wife who was in an upbeat mood.

While the unfolding results generated the excitement of a cricket match, it was clear that some Indian diplomats had little to cheer about. A major concern being the likely diplomatic reshuffle in a politically key capital like Islamabad.

Former diplomat Akram Zaki's theory was that as a consequence of the elections India's relations with the European countries would improve. Not because of Ms Sonia Gandhi's Italian connection but because of the secular image Congress enjoys.

When a guest disagreed, arguing that market forces had their own dynamics, Mr Zaki asserted that there were forces even behind the market forces. There were many comments on the graceful acceptance of defeat by the BJP, on the lack of finger-pointing and above all, on the fair dispensation of the massive election process.