Cricket with Pakistan not possible, says Indian FM Sushma Swaraj

Sushma Swaraj rules out bilateral series between arch-rivals due to political tensions

India’s Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, has ruled out the resumption of cricketing ties between arch-rivals Pakistan and India for the foreseeable future.

Indian media reported that Swaraj, while talking after the meeting of the consultative committee attached to the Indian foreign ministry, said that due to tensions on the border, cricket diplomacy with Pakistan is not possible.

"The high number of cross-border firings did not set the tone for engagements such as a cricket series," Swaraj was quoted as saying by the local media as she was replying to the question regarding the resumptions of cricketing ties between the two countries.

Both countries have not faced each other in a bilateral series since 2012, when Pakistan — under the leadership of captain Misbahul Haq — defeated MS Dhoni’s men 2-1 in the three-match ODI series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) signed an MoU during the establishment of the Big Three, where both countries were to play eight bilateral series between 2015 and 2023, six of which were supposed to be hosted by Pakistan.

However, not even a single series has materialised.