London: Pakistan's continued suspension from the Commonwealth is a "slap" on the face of President Pervez Musharraf who tried hard to get it lifted, but it is a triumph of India's principled stand and persistent diplomacy which prevailed over the 54-member world body, diplomats say.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group's (CMAG) decision that Pakistan remains suspended till the military regime ensures "full restoration of Democracy" in the country is a "slap" on the face of Musharraf who had made all-out efforts to get the suspension lifted in view of recent general elections after barring former Premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif from contesting the poll, diplomats observe.

According to the sources, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha quoted extensively from the reports of the Commonwealth Observers' Group and the European Observers' Group to drive home the fact that there was nothing to welcome in the elections.

The Commonwealth Observer Group had pointed out that "certain measures introduced in the period preceding the elections have had a limiting effect on the process of restoring Democracy".

India also pointedly emphasised that even before it became its member, CMAG itself had clearly stated that there must be "full restoration of Democracy" before lifting the suspension.

It was also the letter written by Bhutto to Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon which came handy in nailing the lies of Musharraf about the fairness of the polls.

PTI