Pakistan close to becoming a failed state: Chidambaram

Pakistan is "pretty dysfunctional" and "perilously close" to becoming a failed state, home minister P Chidambaram has said as he voiced concern over the spread of Taliban influence in that country which could have a spillover effect on India.
 
He also said New Delhi was "willing to work" with Islamabad, provided Pakistan dismantled terrorist infrastructure and did business as a civilised nations.
       
To a question on how close Pakistan was to becoming a failed or at least a dysfunctional state, Chidambaram said, "I think many people would call it dysfunctional even today. I do not think it is a failed state but if it does not arrest the decline, it is perilously close to becoming one. It is pretty dysfunctional today".
       
In a television interview, the home minister said India favours a stable democratic set up in Pakistan.
       
"...we are not happy with the turmoil in Pakistan. Taliban across our border has a tendency to spill over in different ways into India," he said.
       
Asked if India has a stake in ensuring stable civilian rule in Pakistan, he said, "Of course a stable civilian democratic government means that we know who we are dealing with and there are checks and balances."

Chidambaram said a civilian democratic government in Pakistan is "better for us to deal with."
       
On the recent peace deal signed by Pakistan Government in SWAT and Bajaur, he said it was "very bad" for South Asia.
       
"We cannot countenance a regime like the Taliban regime that is opposed to every notion of civilised democratic government that we accept. The Taliban's influence is spreading in Pakistan. I am sorry for the people of Pakistan. But it worries me because the Taliban's influence is spreading and it could spill over to India," he said.
       
Asked about the proliferation of Taliban and other militant groups, Chidambaram said, "the rise of Taliban has two implications. One, it will encourage fundamentalists in India to imitate them, and number two the Taliban could become a sponsor of terror in India.
       
"Therefore, I do not think we in India can view this lightly. We have to take this as a very serious and grave development," he said.
       
To a query whether there was any sign that Taliban influence in Pakistan was encouraging fundamentalists in India, he said "yes, fundamentalists of both kinds."
       
Whether he meant both Hindu and Muslim, he said "yes".