India wants a stable Pakistan: Pranab

NEW DELHI: With Pakistan in political turmoil following the return of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his subsequent deportation, India on Monday said it wanted the neighbour to be peaceful and stable.

"We want a peaceful, prosperous and stable neighbour," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said when asked by reporters to comment on the "instability" in Pakistan.

He, however, declined to comment on the developments surrounding Sharif, saying it was the "internal matter" of that country.

Pakistan witnessed political upheaval as Sharif returned home after a seven-year exile and was deported shortly thereafter to Jeddah.

Clashes were witnessed between police and supporters of Sharif's party Pakistan Muslim League in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.