Pakistan's regional neighbours have joined the international community in expressing deep concern over yesterday's military coup in the country.

India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal say they are watching developments with the utmost concern.

Many fear in private the region may be plunged into instability because of the military takeover.

Cautious reaction

The recently-elected Indian government was among the first to issue a statement expressing its deep concern about the military coup.

But other governments have also been alarmed by developments.

The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry said it was deeply concerned by the turn of events, but was it was cautious not to issue an outright condemnation of the actions of Pakistani military.

Initially, state-controlled television and radio in Bangladesh was slow to report the coup, and even now senior politicians within the ruling Awami League are reluctant to comment.

It appears the Bangladeshi government is waiting for a clearer picture to emerge before publicly stating its position.

Nepal's strong words

The Sri Lankan government was likewise cautious in its response, saying it too would be closely watching developments.

However the Nepalese government did issue a strongly-worded statement, saying it hoped the democratic process would be restored in Pakistan as soon as possible.

The General Secretary of the ruling Nepali Congress party called the army's takeover a set-back to democracy.