US all for 'cricket diplomacy' between Pakistan-India
According to the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland, Americans generally don't know much about cricket, but they like it when Pakistan and India play each other.
"We're for cricket. We don't understand it, but we like it," Nuland said amid laughter during the daily briefing.
In the larger context of Pakistan-India relations, the State Department spokesperson said Washington shares the "interest of people in India, people in Pakistan - in seeing these two countries continuing to improve their relationship."
"We have been supportive in all of our diplomatic encounters at every level with the Indian side, with the Pakistani side in some of the progress that they've made," Nuland noted. She was appreciative that Islamabad and New Delhi have made "considerable progress" on the economic side.
"We are encouraging them to do better on issues like sharing counter-terrorism information, dealing with threats to both countries, moving forward to work on trust building and political issues, so we will continue to support dialogue between them at every level, but it's obviously up to Indians and Pakistanis to continue to work on this."
Regarding dealing with the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai bombings - that came as a setback for a five-year old South Asian peace process - and bringing people to justice, the spokesperson said, that the issue "comes up in all of our discussions with Indians and with Pakistanis."
"And we'll continue to advocate for full justice being served, not least because Americans lost their lives as well."
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@Hegdefunder: Well in this case when the ship is in danger and capiton's ability in question then it is responsibility of all the passengers to take part to safe the ship, the more any one have knowladge more bigger responsible role has to play, when your problem is only your problem then may be selfish works, but when your problem is effecting me also then I must help you to fix it. Extending help may be selfish act, but good for both of us. Got me.
@Mohd Butt: Well its tragic really, as i remember Pakistan being vibrant and cosmopolitan society in mid 70s, as i use to visit Karachi with friends for vacations, and i have seen the difference that it is today as i visited Islamabad in 2011 with trade body and was unable to visit friends in Karachi as it was virtually a no go area, due to the violence. The problem with Pakistan is simply that the educated and capable people have packed up and left the country. Furthermore there is a whole generation of Madrassa educated illitrates who simply are not going to assist to turnaround this Country, but may cause obstacles.
@Hegdefunder: Are you giving me good news that all will abendent us? Even we beg? And we have to learn to live by ourselves, as we will have no choice? Thanks God if it happen sooner than you predict.
@Mohd Butt: On these relationship, its always going to be PUT Call ! Americans have had flawed Foreign Policy for over 60 years, from the time of Korea War, and this self importance of Pakistan is going to diminish very fast in coming years, US starts to withdraw from Afghanistan. The question really of concern will be as to who Pakistan turns to for help and assistance ? The Chinese are simply not in the business of giving money away, nor are the Russians that rich to do so. That leaves their brothers in Saudi Arabia, and they too have shifted their policies away from Pakistan Aid, as none has been forthcoming for past few years ! So who is left ? Iran ! No they have too many problems both on international and domestic levels ! Its not the case that Pakistan is likely to recover its economy and bring debts under control in near future, as this process is likely to take decades not years !
@Hegdefunder: Are you long or short on Pak America relationship? What will you do, sell a call or sell a put?
Uncle Sam will say everything right, until 2014, then we will see their special relationship with Pakistan ! It will be the real test as to Pakistan's dependancy on USA, and also USA's real opinion of Pakistan since 2001.
@Bharat: They made countless tries and only few time our leadership failed. I hope the leadership of our both countries will keep cool and keep defusing the tention, we need each other to live with peace and prosperity, I had seen Europe no sigh of 2nd world war, they can live why we can not, sure we can.
The great british sport of cricket is a way of getting people to appreciate each other's views. It is the essence of diplomacy because after many many hours of endeavour it usually ends in a draw. That is what we want to see in world politics: a positive draw, win-win situation.
For a modern account of cricket in the recession see:
http://www.amazon.com/Guile-and-Spin-ebook/dp/B008FBZPHE/
American approval! How thrilling! Wasn't that the whole point of the exercise, anyway?
Do not come between us, you will burn!
@Mohd Butt:
The Americans tried to also start a war between India and Pakistan after 26/11
A simple way is too ease up on visas, at least for senior citizens.
Invite President Obama to next Indo-pak cricket match. Let him see the Indo-Pak cricket fever first hand.
Interestingly, the situation is such that India should be saying it is encouraged by the trust building between USA and Pakistan and should urge to "do more".
@Baba Ji: read the headlines,they said they have no idea about cricket.
Somebody please tell me ET is based in Pakistan. Seeing the top comment and likes it proves the other way though.
Its not always white man's burden. Please leave us alone!!
Do India and Pakistan need American permission / approval to do Cricket diplomacy ?
we do not care what America has to stay about any domestic issue in Pakistan or India.
@mr. righty rightist: And you think these super power are spectaters only, they watch what is happening in the world they don't play any role? And if they don't play in making the event on the world but still are called super power? Tell me any event and they have no role one way or others, of course there are actors they use them perfectly that is the reason every event gives benefit to them only.
Do the Americans even know what cricket is ?
Had they failed to peruse India to go against Pakistan and when the both country decided to cooperate, now they are trying to assure the world they sport and persuaded both countries for diplomacy. Nice try to be nice. What was Penata doing some time back in India?
Et tu Brutus?!!
Don't support this bigoted move of cricket and that too in India.
This is like killing the 166 dead people of Mumbai attacks, all over again.