India welcomes end to political crisis in Pakistan

"What is happening in Pakistan is essentially its internal matter. Normally we do not comment on internal affairs of any country," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told media persons in New Delhi as the crisis in the neighbouring country blew over.

"At the same time, it is in our interest if democratic government is in place in Pakistan, which acts as a bulwark against terrorism and extremism," he added.

Pranab's comments came hours after the Asif Ali Zardari government succumbed to intense pressure and decided to reinstate Justice Iftikhar Choudhry as Pakistan's Justice.

Mukherjee said India hopes that "internal confrontation of Pakistan will come to an end so that it could devote attention to fight against terrorism."

He maintained that the fight against terrorism is in Pakistan's own interest as it "is the biggest menace to peace and development."

With the crisis in Pakistan blowing over, India is heaving a sigh of relief as it was worried about the fallout of instability in the neighbouring country.