Cricket diplomacy: Back-channel diplomacy initiated months ago
Singh opened secret talks with Kayani to build on the cricket-inspired diplomatic thaw between countries.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh opened secret talks with Pakistan Army chief 10 months ago to build on the cricket-inspired diplomatic thaw between the two countries, a media report said on Saturday. Singh “appointed an unofficial envoy to make contact with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s chief of the Army Staff who exercises de facto control over foreign policy,” The Hindustan Times reported.
The talks, through a back channel, have encouraged the UK and US believe that the countries competition for influence in Afghanistan could be better managed during efforts to start a peace process, it said.
The visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the cricket semi-final between India and Pakistan has sparked hope of a diplomatic thaw between the two countries.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2011.