NEW DELHI, Dec 15: Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee has welcomed the end of emergency rule in Pakistan and India’s national security adviser M.K. Narayanan spoke of respect for President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s struggles against difficult challenges.

Responding to a question about the end of emergency in Pakistan, Mr Mukherjee told reporters in Raipur: “It is a welcome decision by the president. But this is an internal matter of Pakistan and India’s stand is not to comment on others’ internal matters.”

Mr Narayanan said in a TV interview that Gen Musharraf appeared likely to win the endorsement of the country’s new parliament after general election next month.

The full interview will be shown on CNN-IBN on Sunday.

“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,” Mr Narayanan was quoted as saying.

“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.”

Mr Narayanan who has supervised discreet back-channel talks with Pakistan said there was admiration for President Musharraf’s ability to overcome adversity. “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.”

Asked whether President Musharraf would remain a reliable interlocutor for India, Mr Narayanan said: “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.”