Regime change will not come in way of bilateral ties: Bashir

A change of government in India would not come in the way of bilateral ties, Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir said today.

"I don't think that regime change really matters. The relation between states are state relations. They are not personal or party specific. It is the considered policy of Pakistan to forge friendly and cooperative relations with India," the outgoing envoy said when asked whether Pakistan had any apprehensions about possible change of government in India which will face general elections in a few months.

"So your question remains relevant in terms of reciprocation and it is my sense that people of India are desirous to see better relations with Pakistan as in their own interest. That's my sense," Bashir told a media conference here.

Asked about BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Bashir said, "We respect every leader of every political party. You said it rightly it is your internal matter.

"We don't have any opinion on that. But of course, every leader of every political party, which represents the people of India. Therefore, our reach out is to the people of India and in democracy whatever democracy delivers is something that is good. We believe in that."

"I think it is not fair for me to make any comment on any particular person or leader in the political process," said Bashir refraining to directly comment on Modi.