Indian Foreign Secretary says cricket team might tour Pakistan soon
Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, has said that India is looking to promote cricketing ties with Pakistan, especially when they can become an instrument of diplomacy.
At a time when most countries are hesitant in playing in Pakistan, India is willing to send its national cricket team to the country.
Rao confirmed the news and said, “We are definitely open. Of course, this has to be discussed between the cricketing fraternities on both sides and taken forward”.
The Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Pakistani counterpart, Yousaf Raza Gillani, recently met during the Pakistan-India ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final, at Mohali. They discussed that cricket is an important part of both countries. It should be played between the two neighbours, to sustain friendly relations with each other.
At Mohali, they agreed on the fact, that the sporting contacts between both the countries should be renewed. As a result, India has agreed on a Indian team tour to Pakistan.
India’s Foreign Secretary explained that it was completely Dr. Manmohan Singh’s decision to invite Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, to the semi-finals at Mohali. His decision proved to be useful and has helped spread positive vibes between the two countries.
While talking about India allowing the cricket team to visit Pakistan, the Foreign Secretary, Rao said that although the government has allowed the team to play in Pakistan, security would be the foremost thing, which requires assurance from Pakistan.
However, it is the duty of the Pakistani government to safeguard the foreign team touring their country, she added. She also said that cricket can prove useful in creating diplomatic relations between two nations.
She stated, “It is not that we have forbidden our teams from going there. Security is always an issue and we always like to be sure about security when we allow our teams to go there. But when it comes to cricket, I think cricket sometimes becomes an instrument of diplomacy in such situations”.
Rao also said that Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, might visit Pakistan but a lot of groundwork needs to be done before and that it has already started.
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