Musharraf has a deal with CJ: NSA Narayanan

National Security Advisor M K Narayanan has said he doesn't believe Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf will impose emergency. The NSA also said he believes Musharraf has an understanding with Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary.

In an interview for television channel CNBC's India Tonight programme, Narayanan said: "Why should he declare an emergency? I don't see (why).

"I think he will stick to his plan and want to be elected by the present assemblies because then he knows where he stands."

Asked if this would not inevitably lead to a challenge in the Supreme Court, Narayanan said he assumed General Musharraf had an understanding with Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who was recently reinstated, to take care of this.

"I would presume there is some understanding on this issue. I think any wise leader would accommodate such concerns before going ahead. I think a clever strategist -- and that President Musharraf certainly is -- would have taken certain back-up measures," he said.

Assessing the threat to India from Pakistan given the present volatility in that country, Narayanan said, "Volatility in Pakistan is certainly a matter of concern for us," and added at a later point, "I think the sort of volatility we are now seeing in Pakistan will encourage them (to co-operate). I think Pakistan is now beginning to recognise the danger of encouraging forces of this kind."

Speaking about the character of the jihadi activity from Pakistan, Narayanan said it tends to go up and down but added that "we don't mind the flip-flop".

"Sometime we see a slackening, a sort of reduction of jihadi activity. We assume it is because of pressure they exert on them. Sometimes it increases. We don't want a continous increase (although) we don't mind the flip-flop."

The interview will be telecast on CNBC at 2230 IST, Monday.