NEW DELHI, Jan 25, Reuter: India, which has long opposed Pakistan’s efforts to rejoin the commonwealth, is now ready to sponsor its reentry, a foreign office spokesman said on Wednesday.
“After the restoration of democracy in Pakistan as a result of the November 1988 election, the question of India objecting to Pakistan’s reentry into the commonwealth does not arise,” he said.
“In fact, India would gladly take the lead in sponsoring the reentry of Pakistan led by the democratic government.”
Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said in Karachi on Tuesday her government was considering whether to rejoin. Pakistan pulled out of the commonwealth in 1972 when member countries recognized East Pakistan as an independent Bangladesh.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The last, in 1971, led to Bangladesh’s independence.
At best the two countries have been deeply suspicious of each other though relations have warned slightly since Bhutto took office.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1989
