Pakistan

Cricket diplomacy: Pakistan may host India in June

Indian PM to use match as excuse to continue the ‘Mohali spirit’.

Aditi Phadnis April 21, 2011

NEW DEHLI:

The Indian cricket team may visit Pakistan in June to play a one-day match, in what would be the first international cricket game to be played on Pakistani soil after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will likely visit Pakistan to watch the match, in an attempt to continue dialogue with Islamabad through the disguise of ‘cricket diplomacy’, amidst resistance from both within his own Congress party and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to any direct talks with the top Pakistan leadership.

Sources inside the Indian government say that “the wounds of Mumbai have not yet healed,” which has led many Congress politicians to advise the Indian premier against turning the cricket match into a summit meeting with his Pakistani counterpart, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. They argue that India is not yet ready for a rapprochement with Pakistan.

Singh has never visited Pakistan for a bilateral meeting since he came to office in 2004. Singh was born in Chakwal district in 1932, though his family then migrated to India after Partition in 1947.

The commerce secretaries of the two countries will meet later this month, said Indian Foreign Minister Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna. However, the minister also pointed out that terrorism remained the top concern for Indian policy with regard to Pakistan.

“With Pakistan, we have pursued the path of dialogue to reduce the trust deficit and to resolve all outstanding issues in the hope that we can build a better future for the peoples of both countries. At the same time, we have never abandoned our concerns about the need to eliminate cross-border terrorism.”

This formal position is mimicked by the party’s position that nothing useful would be gained by a summit meeting of the two prime ministers but that a conversation and interaction between the two countries should continue.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2011.

COMMENTS (55)

mjmannish | 12 years ago | Reply @A R Khan Yusufzai: That is your own home grown problem. As you saw so you are reaping, while our problem has been inflicted upon us by Your Pious Religious Country. That is why we blame you.

Pagal Mullah | 12 years ago | Reply @Shak75: I think Mukhtar Mai was your mai and hence you believe your Paki Courts. I am sure that your belief may be well placed but it would be better if you would have consulted your mai! Terrorists can talk and try to clear their name, but cant remove the BLOT of terrorism from their faces.

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jimmy | 12 years ago | Reply @ Shaq75: tell me if yr govt has banned let thn why the leader still gives public speaches ! do u pp lknow the meaning of banned ! or r u illiterate. For god sake we have been providing evidence after evidence it sthe pak govt tht r finding excuses to protect saeed!we have given everthng to pak telephone recoreds, etc, chck google on wht USA said abt LET tht they hve becme threat to the globe. u guys will never get it , check any neutral sources, the whole world knows pak supports some terrorist groups ! and fr yr own info ind has given the death sentence to pak, the only reason they have kept him alive fr future eveidence purposes ! u ppl will never learn its u who have been brainwashed by yr own dunb media. If u dnt believe us thn check any neutral source (USA,UK etc) they all admit the ISI and lasher-e-taiba are invilved in terrorism in othr countries !! its u who knneds to open yr blind eyes ,tell me when pak accuses india why no wrld media believes pak? its because u guys hardly have effidence, when the US/ind/uk blames pak we have engough evidence. The whole world knows hw sick minded u ppl are. Yr country wants aid to stop some terrorist groups yet will support it as well .No one likes pak, barring some in the muslims world.

akash | 12 years ago | Reply @Shak.. court has executed kasab already he has appealed to higher court..so the drama will go for a bit before he is hanged..(unlike pakistan where a murderer is hailed as hero.. we even arrange for lawyer to defend a dreaded millitant... because thats the way democracy works) regarding Samjhota we are doing investigation the guy is in jail already and will be prosecuted shortly.. so i dont think you are aware of the facts.. and yea regarding main 26/11 culprits.. there is enough evidence.. only if your country wishes to pursue.. just read a statement by ur interior minister Mr malik telling they have enough evidence but court process is slow.. (personally i dont think pakistan will do anything.. but who knows change of heart one day..) @Avanti.. you are hillarious :-)

Shak75 | 12 years ago | Reply @jimmy: Please rectify your record. The leader of LT was arrested but was released by the court because of lack of evidence as Indian government kept on blaming Pakistan government for doing it instead of providing concrete evidence. If the case is so clear then why dont your court just execute Kasab? Why are they lingering on with the case? Dont forget what happened with Samjhota Express? Number of Pakistani's were burned to death in a train on Indian soil but Pakistani government never blamed Indian government for it. Then why in this case Pakistani government being blamed for the happening? Please open those blindfolds on your eyes and start looking at the world with your own eyes and dont believe on whatever is told to you like fools!

Pragmatist | 12 years ago | Reply @cricrazee: Tell the Sri Lankans that "it was only a game". The "presidential security" disappeared quietly when the terrorists began the attack. The only one to save the cricketers was the brave driver of the bus. It is just a game alright - for the Pakistani establishment.

joy | 12 years ago | Reply lets give chance to some other sport

bvindh | 12 years ago | Reply @M Bilal: Sir, once again the analogy. If you walk on the footpath (where pedestrians are supposed to be) and a drunk driver crashes onto you, is it your fault? Well, not in a civilized society. If your government agency trains plans and co-ordinates a cowardly and uncivilized attack on unarmed civilians, is it suppoused to be the victims fault or the perpetrators fault? I am coming to understand why Pakistanis blame Bangladeshis for 1971, why Mukhtaran Mai was blamed for getting raped, why you keep blaming US for 9/11 and why you blame CIA/RAW/Mossad for common cold. Pakistani society has lost the ability to behave responsibly. You are quick to shift the blame on anything and everything, except yourself. But are incapable of taking responsibility for your own actions. Being responsible takes character and Sir, you have none. And I am not talking about the "burn the khafir" frenzy which even a wild animal can build up.

ashok sai | 12 years ago | Reply @shayan: Hello friend, It is heartening to here a sane voice like you in Pakistan. We Indians not all blaming you innocent civilians and also I accept extremists exist in every corner of the world. Friend you should appreciate our feelings as we have suffered several times from terrorism emanated from the Pakistani soil, I think it doesn't needs reference, still not an inch of action taken to curb it and also those extremists are allowed to preach in public, all that does not goes well you know. Friend India as much more responsibilities tackle :- - Bringing down our poverty level and to eradicate it. - Sweet burden of emerging economic super power. - Educating our entire populace. So we have no ambition to invade or intervene Pakistan. Friend, Pakistan civilian leaders hapless against your army which has the final say in foreign policies and grooms illiterate poor civilians as India haters. Such is the scenario, tell me what can be done ? Regards

shayan | 12 years ago | Reply @H: Great response. I think the majoroty of Pakistanis (at least the sane ones) would agree that what happened in Mumbai was an absolute henious act of terror and wish that the people behind it get seriously punished. However, it is high time India realised that there is a big terrorism threat in Pakistan, and, as H says, they need to secure their boreders more effectively. I, being a moderate Muslim and a forward thinking Pakistani refuse to take the blame for the people behind the Mumbai attacks, even if they are Pakistanis. I refuse to be subjected to the terrorism label just because a few nutters went in boats and savagely killed innocent people. Does every single Indian take responsibility for all the crimes that a few of it's nationals commit? What is upsetting is that the world looks on and does nothing when an entire population of 170 million are labelled as terrorists. And please, dont get me wrong, im not looking for any sympathy I just feel for those people who put all Pakistanis in one boat; clearly they need a slightly more open minded approach.

Pragmatist | 12 years ago | Reply @Nai ki Dukan: Thank you for supporting the Indian position. At least on this issue Indians and Pakistanis are on the same page. Next issue: drone attacks.

Raj | 12 years ago | Reply India should visit Pakistan but not in the scorching heat of June. Torture for both players and fans, load shedding will torture the viewers alike. Say NO TO CRICKET IN JUNE in the sub continent..my two cents!!

akash | 12 years ago | Reply @cb guy.. u sir live in Lala land.. and i am sure you are a follower of delusional Zaid hamid. the link that you are referring to may i remind you Mr. Rahul Gandhi had to issue a clarification after that telling he was misquoted. Anyways If Pakistan is so innocent as she claims well then let the voice samples be given to neutral country.. truth will come out.. 26/11 was done with the help of rogue elements within Pakistani establishment. Period. we have given numerous proofs but we know Pakistan will do nothing because that's the character of the country we have come to know. There is some truth in the perception that pakistan is a breeding ground for terrorists... you people support them.. whether it is for Kashmir or previously supporting Talibans.. Not everything in this world is done by USA, India and Israel. And dont forget USA and India have sizable number of Muslim population. Muslims do like to think that they are the 'thekedars' of well being all Muslims around but it is actually the opposite that happens. Coming to cricket i dont think India will go.. India should not go. they can play at any neutral venue.

Indian USA | 12 years ago | Reply I think..it is a good move..Pakistani government did not carry out 26/11..they can be blame for not doing anything to bring those culprits to justice.. we should do anything that strengthen the civilian government in Pakistan. 26/11 was big deal but not talking with Pakistan is counter productive.

Nai ki Dukan | 12 years ago | Reply @Pragmatist: There is absolutely no need to come to Play to Pakistan. There is no long or short time. In Fact , Pakistani Public also don't want you here. Stay where yo are.

A R Khan, Wisconsin | 12 years ago | Reply WOW... I wish the match is in Lahore and I will be able to watch it then :) Looking forward to it

Avanti | 12 years ago | Reply @Adeel: "It was a part of the deal which let to the bending of hawk eye for Mr. Tendulkar!" Anything that flies and strikes like a hawk and you know what, is remotely controlled by the Americans.

Adeel | 12 years ago | Reply Oh come on Indians...whether you like it or not...Indian team will visit pakistan. It was a part of the deal which let to the bending of hawk eye for Mr. Tendulkar!

Avanti | 12 years ago | Reply @Munna Bhai: "No Hindu will ever cross this border until . . . ." Munna Bhai - you just gave me a bright idea! We should form a parallel team of Muslims and Christians only captained by Yusuf Pathan. BTW - would you accept Harbhajan Singh as technically he is not a Hindu?

rk singh | 12 years ago | Reply So pakistan loves to get beaten at home too?

Pragmatist | 12 years ago | Reply @Avanti: You outdid yourself this time. Very creative indeed. Yes, that is the exact scenario that will transpire if the Indian team comes to play in Pakistan. They should write their wills before stepping into Pakistan. I don't think the Indian public will ever let this tour take place. It will take a long time for them to tour Pakistan.

cricrazee | 12 years ago | Reply All of you make me sick in my stomach! its sad because all of you are educated and disgusting because of the approach and animosity that is still giving you a sour taste in your mouths. Grow up all of you. You cannot bring up new generations into this world of utter hatred. You are the future and believe me its very bleak with your ideology. Give peace a chance! stop spreading so much hate please. Its a game, lets treat it like one - PLEASE!

AD | 12 years ago | Reply what a joke....You are giving enough time to terrorist to prepare for another strike.Everyday drones are killing those terrorist and you guys want India to play there...It would take thousand years for Pakistan to host a sport the way ISI has made Pakistan hell for its neighbors.Afghanistan hosting Asian games might become possibility in 50 years but Pakistan hosting cricket can't unless selfish politician wanna play Santa -Santa and put life our beloved players in danger.

M Bilal | 12 years ago | Reply @bvindh: if you have four body gurads guarding you from all over and still you have your pocket lost... then there is some thing really wrong with you for have selected such incompetants as body guards! This applies both to Pak & India.. they both spend heavily on enlarging thier military might but yet are not able to protect thier citizens...

Munna Bhai | 12 years ago | Reply @Paras Vikmani: People of Pakistan Must never Forget Samjhota Express. @ Keep Indians Out of Pakistan... No need for any dialogue until they stop killing Kashmiris,. @ People of Pakistan!! , You should not forget the Blood of 90,000 Kashmiris by the Hands of Terrorist Indian State terror Machine. And You do not need any Proof for that. No Hindu will ever cross this border until We have this Indian Terror Macinery in kashmir Dismantled and culprits brought to justice.

Avanti | 12 years ago | Reply I have become creative after reading Pakistani posts here. The Indian cricket team comes to play. It gets the presidential security (the kind provided to Ms. Benazeer). The team gets attacked (like the Sri Lankan team). Now comes the interesting part. On ET columns (and Pakistani TV's), the whole thing is blamed on India because India wanted to show to the world how bad Pakistan is, and hence attacked it's own team. There will be many proofs like, how come Tendulkar was not on the bus! Guys. Clap for my this creativity. I am a fast learner.

bvindh | 12 years ago | Reply @H: " If 20 people get into Pakistan from Afghanistan or India and do something wrong then its Pakistans security failure. " --So, if a pick pocketer picks your pocket, then it's our failure? or if a drunk driver runs over you, it's still your failure? If that is true, then there will be no need for police stations, fire-stations and hospitals in the world. Stop being a hypocrite Mr. H

Bolimaga Bevarsi | 12 years ago | Reply Krishna is from my village... cool!

Zeeshan Mahmood | 12 years ago | Reply http://hopeofutopia.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/ten-things-to-learn-from-japan/ learn 10 things from JAPAN.... Pakistan and India both need lessons to take from this great nation....

kumar | 12 years ago | Reply @H: So you agree that in Pakistan terrorists are being trained (We believe that they are not supported and endorsed by ]Govt and people of Pakistan). It is proved time and again and i am happy that you are on the same page. India has a vast coast-line and its humanly impossible to protect with existing technology. Even US can not do anything without intelligence support. But it is very easy to destroy the existing terrorist camps in Pakistan to culminate terror against India and other countries. So use your brains to help India. Live in peace and let us live in peace. Good for both countries.

CB Guy | 12 years ago | Reply @Paras Vikmani: dude what beats me is that why did Pakistani backed guys, as per your opinionj they were, took out hemant karkarey and his team in 10 minutes of the whole issue? Why were they so desperate to take out the guy who actually was pointing out Hindu extremists behind killings in India? I don't think Pakistanis would be some dumb. And how the hell did a dozen or so people control a city of such a large scale. To my knowledge, Bombay has 40K of police, they couldn't take out a thousandth fraction of their own might? Does it sound as BS or they simply weren't willing enough? I also here that the supermen who took bombay by a storm were speaking marathi. You really think its one of the 70 odd languages spoken in Pakistan, NAHHHHHH, its not. May be you guys have not investigated enough or simply have decided to over look facts yet again to blame Pakistan instead of your own extremists, who threaten your own country's existence much more then Pakistan. Don't take my word, take Rahul Gandhis's word for it. http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wiklileaks-rahul-believes-hindu-extremists-bigger-threat-than-muslim-militants/726009/

M | 12 years ago | Reply @H Very well said @Everyone else: Damn, tribune website has become place for Indian and Pakistani exchange of views and also verbal battles, lol

G. Din | 12 years ago | Reply @Cherish Raj: "...India is the land of Gautam Buddha after all. " Yes indeed! Are you talking of the same Buddha whose world-famous statues in Bamiyan were blown to smithereens? Don't forget that more than being the land of Lord Buddha, India is the land of Lord Krishna. "Righteous war is the imperative duty of the Righteous!" Do not forget the 1000-year old history of slavery brought on by appeasement of the cruel and the barbaric!

Amer | 12 years ago | Reply It's good step by Mr. Singh but I am sure it would never become a reality with the hawks around. Terrorists on both sides would never want us to live in peace. The Indians who I know, my friend, work mates etc are all of the view that both teams should play each other more and also that we should move on with the relationship, just like both governments should resolve & move beyond Mumbai and Samjhota express cases. If we keep our disputes on our minds all the time, then the terrorist have surely won already.

vasan | 12 years ago | Reply H: What a perverted logic. If Pakistani people are involved in terrorism, how does Pakistan escape from prosecuting them . You simply blame India because India did not secure itself from such monsters. I have not heard a weirder logic than this. If this is to be followed, why should you have any court, police lockup etc. After all the victims did not protect themselves, Why blame the culprit. Well let your governor killer Qadir free. Prosecute Taseer's ghost/family members for believing his security guard. No wonder Mukhtaran mai did not get justice in Pakistan and started appealing to allah.(The High court sentences one person, only one person, for a gang rape, Convoluted logic, indeed). Following the same logic, dont blame any one for any suicide bomber, but blame the victims, Dont blame the Srilankan team's attackers, Blame the Srilankan cricketers, (Didnt they read the papers, after all Pakistan is/was under the seige of terrorism) A R Khan. You may have a daily 26/11. Why should India be blamed for that. Blame your army for Strategic depth and breeding terrorists. You reap what you sow. Just because you have 26/11 daily, why we in India should have even one 26/11. Will Indian team's visit fix TTP. HAve they promised to surrender once Indian team visits Pakistan. HAs your army promised to have a change of heart after Indian teams visit?

Blunt! | 12 years ago | Reply @ A R Khan - Do you really don't know who is responsible? Or are you just acting ignorant? The point is, why is it happening there on daily basis... Why are the culprits not punished?!

Dr Who | 12 years ago | Reply Indians are obsessed with 26/11 though they never realise hundreds more people die in their country DAILY from other reasons (suicide, poverty, social discrimination, social violence etc.) The sooner the Indians try to get out of this delusional mind set and come to accept some of the ground realities prevailing in their poverty-ridden country where people are dying on regular basis (and try to fix them), the better. India is not Europe after all and therefore Indians must get rid of this artificial attitude

Cherish Raj | 12 years ago | Reply Peace initiatives should be welcomed. India is the land of Gautam Buddha after all. But General Kayani, PML-N and the powerful Jamat-e islami are dead against peace with India. Nothing concrete will come out of Singh's gesture. Pakistan's cricket and its board will benefit though.

A R Khan Yusufzai | 12 years ago | Reply My friends in India do not miss an oppurtunity on ET website to remind us of 26/11. Here's a quick reminder to everyone "we have 26/11 on daily basis". Who should we blame that for? Will this solve any problem? It's only when you keep the dialogue process open that people understand each other opinion on government as well as people to people level. Let's stop the blame game which is benefiting only the extremist on both sides and start talking on the negotiation table.

M Bilal | 12 years ago | Reply Surprising Indeed... A serious U turn by Mr. Manmohan and his party leadershp! I wonder if he would really stick to this new stance or will again have to take the U turn.

awais | 12 years ago | Reply Welcome to Pakistan Manmohan singh !!!! do visit your birth place and please go for some decisive decisions this time to promote harmony, love and peace throughout this region...... people of both sides love each other.....there are only a few hardcore elements on both sides who want to promote their own politics on the name of hatered... I can hope that a day will come soon when we would be able to watch a cricket match in a stadium build at wahgah border......

Nawaz Sharif | 12 years ago | Reply Dream on....India will not play Pak for a long time to come. Singh's offer (if any) to Gilani was only a show.

GK | 12 years ago | Reply @dextor: We know the proof and have seen it. Three of the perpetrators are in Jail. We are no longer asking you to accept the proof and we choose not to debate it with you (not that we did not try - actually the whole world did). But we also refuse to negotiate with those whom we consider as the prepetrators of terrorism. and definitely do not want to play cricket with them.

Pragmatist | 12 years ago | Reply Not ONE single leading cricketer from India will go. That's for sure. Maybe Dr.Manmohan ji is talking of his Lok Sabha cricket team. We all saw what happened to the "presidential-level" security that was provided to the Sri Lankan cricket team. And the blame will be put on "non-state actors". Dr.Singh, sad to say, is showing signs of senility. India should not go unless Saeed Hafiz and Dawood Ibrahim are safely behind bars.

Blunt! | 12 years ago | Reply Indeed, do not forget 26/11. Pakistan should be grateful to India for bringing cricket back to its land which was already in the dire straits! Probably it can reciprocate by booking the perpetrators of 26/11 who are wandering around on its streets with no fear!

Suleman (Baroda) | 12 years ago | Reply @dextor: The whole world except a few people in Pak know that those people came to mumbai from Pak to kill innocents. So not sure whom you are trying to convince!

Naveed Javed | 12 years ago | Reply At last we had some positiveness from Indians ! Welcome to Pakistan!

A.ghaffar dawood | 12 years ago | Reply This a very good step if the Indian Priminister visits Pakistan under the disguise of cricket diplomacy.This is high time people realize that we have to learn to live together like Canada and America.we must shun the differences and progress.

hassan | 12 years ago | Reply @dextor: What proof you need Mr Dexter? Actual video of ISI recruiting Kasab ? It is ok if Pakistan does not catch anyone involved in 26/11; it is perfectly alright if they want to protect their own men. But, you even deny that this has anything to do with Pak. And you want more and more proof. This is the reason more and more Indians are pushed to a corner anti-Pakistan feelings !!

jimmy | 12 years ago | Reply @dextor: your own govt admitted 2 things 1) Kasab is a pak national 2) lashar-e-taiba is responsible for the attacks, and hence have even arrested 11 members (check google). What is surprising is tht they r not redy to arrest the leader of the group ! i relly hope ind team dnt visit pak, let them play pak in neutral venue. because if anythng happen to indian tem in pak, let me warn u pak will be wiped off completely and bcci and icc will make life living hell for pak. Remember 80 % of revenue comes from ind, so pak bettr nt mess wth us !! laugh as much as u wnt but god forbid if it happens, no team othr th srilanka, bangladesh and sme new teams will ever help pak !!

H | 12 years ago | Reply Dear Vikmani - You guys really need to get out of your closed minds. Pakistani nationals might be behind 26-11, but it WAS INDIAS FAILURE. If 20 people get into Pakistan from Afghanistan or India and do something wrong then its Pakistans security failure. What is your army, navy, border police etc. doing. How in the world was that possible. Blame yourself instead of blaming Pakistan, and kindly move on. Pakistan had nothing to gain from that, but your right wing parties surely did. Use your brains please. thanks

Saqib | 12 years ago | Reply you are welcome Manmohan ..but do not bring you'r team

dextor | 12 years ago | Reply Mr PARAS....without any proof of 26/11...we are runing our relation...just grow its a need of time..jsut see the europe how bad enemies they were...they are standing because they knew its nothing int he war....so leave all behind...dont think its Pakistan behind this.....

ashok sai | 12 years ago | Reply If this is going to happen, victims of 26/11 will never forgive you Mr.PM !!! Enough we had in the name of 'Soft Power' now its time to play hard.

Paras Vikmani | 12 years ago | Reply dont forget 26/11 Mr. Singh!

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