Resumption of cricket ties not dilution of Mumbai attacks demands: Indian FM

Salman Khurshid says Pakistan-India must work on issues on which consensus can be achieved.


Web Desk November 02, 2012

GURGAON: The decision to resume cricketing ties between Pakistan and India must not be seen as dilution of India's demand for action against the actors behind Mumbai attacks, said India's newly installed Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid, Hindustan Times reported on Friday.

"It is a conflict on which there must be delivery of expectations that we have but we don't want the clock to come to a standstill, clock does move forward...," he said.

Khurshid was addressing a press conference in Gurgaon.

The external affairs minister said "we are certainly concerned about issues that are related to accountability for unforeseen attack on our citizens and we expect all countries, including our neighbour country Pakistan to deliver on their frequently indicated promise of holding these people accountable."

Khurshid emphasised that for improving relations, both the countries should put issues with no immediate solution aside and work on matters on which consensus can be achieved.

"I don't think isolation or cutting off any contact or communication has ever helped," he said.

Pakistan is due to tour India between December 25 and January 6 to play two Twenty20s and a one-day international.

As many as 5,000 Pakistan cricket fans are also hoping that they will be allowed to travel to Banglore, the host city for the matches.

However, the radical Vishwa Hindu Parishad has called on the Indian government to cancel the tour till Pakistan takes action against the perpetrators of the 2008 attack.

COMMENTS (13)

SKChadha | 11 years ago | Reply

@ M.Ahmer Ali: Bro, the State and Non-state actors (whatever you call them) are accomplice to the crime committed by ten terrorists on Indian soil. The International community desire action against Mumbai carnage culprits or hand them over to the country where crime against humanity is committed. It is beyond doubt that the criminals are being shielded. When nations indulge in such act it become accomplice to such crimes and loose international respect. When no Indian or any other international agencies is permitted for collection of evidences within nation’s territory (for obvious reasons), it becomes abundant duty of the nation itself to bring culprits to justice. To establish crime, evidences are required to be dig. They are not available on platter. The duality in international dealing make the intent questionable and same was the case with OBL, when US did not trust and went alone.

26/11 is a question of trust and not the crime alone … !!

Second, there are repeated reference to the religion of the minister, …. Why? Does it make any difference? Mr. Khurshid is to represent 1.2b hardcore Indians on any core issue what you have in your mind … ???

M.Ahmer Ali | 11 years ago | Reply Mr. new muslim Indian FM we also believe the same as you are cerebrating about..... Because sports are only sports not the solutions of highly profiled burning and core issues between Pakistan-India and as far as your stance/standpoint regarding Mumbai attacks is concerned that Indian government is not allowing the Pakistani investigation officials to meet Ajmal Qasab to proceed the investigation towards the justice......This is why this is my suggestion and recommendation for you that you don't have to think that sports are the solutions of burning and core issues between Pakistan-India......
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