As Pakistan heads for a political transition, India on Tuesday made it clear that it will deal with whosoever is in power in the neighbouring country.
India noted that its policies vis-a-vis Pakistan have never been specific to any person, but across the board with the system there.
"We will deal with whoever is in power in Pakistan," a senior government official said when asked how India sees transition in the neighbouring country with President Pervez Musharraf preparing to shed his army uniform.
"We do not choose who will be the leader in any country," the official said, but added that it was much easier to deal with democracies.
To insulate against person-specific policies, India has been having wide range of engagements with Pakistan, including people-to-people and at party level, the official said.
Trade between the two countries, formal or informal, is also booming, he said.
The coming three-four months will be crucial in deciding what future lies for Pakistan, he said.
On possible homecoming of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to Pakistan, the official felt that the charismatic leader will return "diminished".