Continuing with the cricket diplomacy which was launched recently in Mohali when India and Pakistani cricket teams met for the ICC World Cup semi-final clash, India has decided in principle to resume cricket ties with Pakistan.
Sources in the government said that India would most likely send its cricket team first.
“As the current season is all full and packed, it is for the BCCI to find a schedule that will suit both countries. The people are passionate about cricket, the game is popular and evokes great interest among the public, so cricket ties can be resumed,” the sources said.
International cricket has eluded Pakistan since March 2009 when gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team and six policemen and a van driver were killed. Cricket ties between the two countries were severed in the wake of the November 2008 terror attack in Mumbai.
Asked if resumption of cricket ties would lead to overall improvement in the security situation and address India's concern at encouragement of terror activities from across the border, the sources said that these were things which could not be lost sight of.
“There are still terror training camps across the border, infiltration is still on. We will have meetings between Commerce and Defence Secretaries of the two countries. Trade ties will also improve in the near future and these will produce a positive result,” the sources said.
