The ouster of Nawaz Sharif in Pakistan and its after-effects are being closely watched in India as New Delhi keeps an eye on who will succeed him. The government stayed silent, refraining from even categorising this as an "internal matter", which is a stock response by the foreign ministry, but the unseating of the Pakistani leader is not a surprise to the Ministry.
The possibility of political instability deepening in Pakistan cannot be ruled out and, if that happens, India will take on a more defensive posture, according to Indian media reports. Though China is a tested ally and Russia a budding friend, it's not yet clear how far they will cover for Pakistan. Nawaz's choice as successor, brother Shahbaz, would not be able to take over until they he is made members of the National Assembly.
To that extent, who takes Sharif's place is less relevant to India. Pakistan's economy is more or less in the same place as it was in 2013 when Sharif was elected. He tried to do more on infrastructure, and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was started on his watch. Nevertheless, economic management was sorely inadequate. Analysts said India has a long history of dealing with the party or person in power, as does China. That is unlikely to change.
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