Cricket diplomacy: Modi seeks to improve ties through Pak-India series
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his resolve to break ice with the neighbouring country through “cricket diplomacy” despite the apprehensions raised by some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers about a proposed India-Pakistan cricket series, Indian Express reported on Tuesday.
“We have taken the decision to start a cricket series between both countries to improve our relations,” said Modi during a BJP parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday, a BJP lawmaker who was present told IANS on the condition of anonymity.
Soon after a resolution was adopted appreciating initiatives taken by the Modi government during its first year in office, Modi said some of the members have expressed concern against the series and that is why he was “clearing the air”, said the source.
Party lawmaker R.K. Singh, a former union home secretary, had raised apprehension over the issue in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Cricketer-turned-BJP MP Kirti Azad had also opposed the move.
Read: Imagine a world without India-Pakistan Test cricket
According to sources, only Modi spoke at the meeting. None of the MPs said anything this time, especially after Bharat Singh, a party MP from Uttar Pradesh, had criticised the government at the last parliamentary party meeting.
Last year cricket fans in the subcontinent were rejoiced when former International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman N Srinivasan's announce that India will renew bilateral series with Pakistan in 2015.
“There has been a proposal to resume bilateral cricket ties between India and Pakistan. As I understand as ICC chairman, there has been an agreement that the two teams will play each other soon,” Srinivasan had said.
The teams are expected to take on each other in the United Arab Emirates in a full series comprising two Tests, five One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 International games.
According to the Future Tours and Programmes (FTP) schedule drawn up by ICC, they will play four more full-length series over the next eight years.
The 2015 series will be a ‘home’ series for Pakistan, but owing to security issues, matches will have to be played in UAE.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (81) Closed
May 12, 2015 10:03pm
ok, lets have the series then.
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May 12, 2015 10:05pm
Really?
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May 12, 2015 10:16pm
Good Job, Mr.Modi!!.
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May 12, 2015 10:16pm
For all the demonizing Mr.Modi receives from Pakistanis, he seems to be making some good decisions for the betterment of South Asia in general.
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May 12, 2015 10:25pm
PM Modi, The man in action..!
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May 12, 2015 10:34pm
Bravo, that's the way forward. Let's please keep politics and sports aside. Should be amazing. Thanks Modi ji
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May 12, 2015 10:34pm
Why only 2 test matches ? Why can't we have a 5 match test series ?
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May 12, 2015 10:36pm
It is just a matter of time before he/they will change their mind, just because of some meeting some where with some one .....
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May 12, 2015 10:36pm
why?
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May 12, 2015 10:37pm
That would be positive step, improving ties through cricket diplomacy.
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May 12, 2015 10:39pm
I REALLY dont believe playing cricket specifically b/w india and pakistan is going to improve anything. If anything, it will make things worse. We have already seen results of "Anay do" series, people wooing their favorite teams/ players getting expelled, beaten, and abused for their free will.
When it comes to losing a major chuck of India's population shows very low sportsman spirit.
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May 12, 2015 10:40pm
a good decision
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May 12, 2015 10:43pm
Good for 'Pakistan Cricket' which is on ventilator right now!
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May 12, 2015 10:45pm
very good step.
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May 12, 2015 10:49pm
I really don't care whether Pakistan plays India or not. Not a big deal.
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May 12, 2015 10:53pm
We should have an ashes-like series between Pakistan & India and an Asian Tournament between Ind.Pk.Sri.Ban.Afgh.
There is so much potential to capitalize through just one game, if the sane minds prevail on both sides.
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May 12, 2015 10:53pm
Good.....@Modi: Also allow Pakistani players to play the IPL.....
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May 12, 2015 10:56pm
Thank you Janab Modi.
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May 12, 2015 10:59pm
Instructions from China?
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May 12, 2015 11:00pm
Cliche time - 2025
1. India pak decide to resume talks via cricket diplomacy
2. Both koreas make small incremental infinitesimal progress to nowhere
3. Israel and Palestine may potentially meet at camp david
4. US invaded random middle east country/ Russia eats away ex soviet land
5. China claims south china sea as well as Philippines..............
Meanwhile ppl kept getting .........
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May 12, 2015 11:02pm
Modi is a good man.
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May 12, 2015 11:05pm
Modi is a vey clever guy. He wants to engage Pakistan on his terms.
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May 12, 2015 11:21pm
Sanity prevailed.
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May 12, 2015 11:28pm
Thank you China for investing heavily in Pakistan.
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May 12, 2015 11:29pm
I must admit. So far modi seems cautious but not very anti pakistan
Credit needs to be given when due .
What ever his thinking is. Good move on his part.
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May 12, 2015 11:35pm
Why certain lawmakers oppose the series? Or Modi just trying to pretend that how serious he is despite all the oppositions from his very own party.
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May 12, 2015 11:39pm
Thank you honorable Prime Minister Modi Saheb! Cricket will bring joy to millions of fans around the world. BCCI and PCB should finalize the itinerary so that fans can make travelling arrangements.
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May 12, 2015 11:41pm
@sudhakar USA - We don't "demonise" Mr. Modi. What happened in Gujarat when he was the CM is a fact. People have the right to convey their opinion on that. We berate our politician, even PM and IK, much more than your love for Mr. Modi.
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May 12, 2015 11:44pm
cricket diplomacy will really start when pakistan cricket players are allowed to play in IPL. Does modi have the will to do it?
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May 12, 2015 11:53pm
Now most Pakistanis would be pleasantly surprised. Most of Pakistanis had predicted that Modi will rule out the series. Great move!
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May 12, 2015 11:54pm
Let the Games begin
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May 13, 2015 12:01am
at long last sense prevail by not mixing politic and sport
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May 13, 2015 12:12am
i am not seeing this news in any of the indian media that indian government(modi) gives green signal for this series only BCCI given green signal. i don't know from where dawn get this news - i doubt about this news
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May 13, 2015 12:16am
Modi is doing things....he went to China and is looking for improving trade...now
cricket with Pakistan...all this is very good for both Pakistan and India and the region.
Welcome step my Modi.
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May 13, 2015 12:35am
@Love Pakistan I guess PCB head was in Kolkatta pleading to start a series...we only reciprocated kindly.
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May 13, 2015 12:41am
It is good omen on the part of Indian government. But Modi needs to reign in his ministers who have loose tongue to spoil the atmosphere.
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May 13, 2015 12:43am
@sudhakar USA, But he needs to keep his political party coherent and reign in his ministers who talked loose on this issue.
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May 13, 2015 12:44am
@rebel y...soooooooo well said! I totally agree with you!
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May 13, 2015 12:49am
Lets wait and not get all excited as we have been there many times before
Trouble with us is we get all excited about nothing
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May 13, 2015 12:57am
@Blue Saffron you are right I am with you
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May 13, 2015 12:58am
He will be remembered like Gandhi, SRK or Bachan after 25 years of his services. Great man. He doesn't think like dirty politics on both sides.
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May 13, 2015 01:04am
Hey guys what about introducing T20 one day Test match. I just got that weird idea; same format of test match where each team plays two innings but in 20 overs each innings.
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May 13, 2015 01:05am
thank you and hope you will really play with us
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May 13, 2015 01:21am
Why isn't Cricket free of politics in India? Why is PM's decision required for a series?
Pakistan should ignore India if they ignore us, and keep in building a team.
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May 13, 2015 01:22am
Well done Modi sahib. Koi toh acha kam kiya aap ne, as far as easing the ties between the two countries is concerned...
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May 13, 2015 01:24am
Good move. India can never reach her full potential without peaceful relations with Pakistan and vice versa. We can't pretend to just ignore each other.
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May 13, 2015 01:47am
@Khan we say that khana puri
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May 13, 2015 02:07am
why not in Pakistan ... if zimbawe can play so should the others ....
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May 13, 2015 02:50am
Let the spirit of the game prevail and enjoy.
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May 13, 2015 03:03am
would suggest 5 tests and 6 ODIS to really have a true winner and quench thirsty cricket hungry nation... but series should be played once Amir is back in fully cry.
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May 13, 2015 03:35am
If cricket or negotiations is last resort to establish a durable solution to all problems then why to spend time and energies in confrontation.
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May 13, 2015 03:38am
Unfortunately, the series is too late. Pakistan team is no more what it used to be and the classic India/Pak contest will not pack the punch it used to before. We barely won against B'desh.
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May 13, 2015 04:21am
No big deal Gen. Zia used to do the same thing
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May 13, 2015 04:30am
@rebel Loving it.
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May 13, 2015 04:59am
In between perfect time to win some games against pak
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May 13, 2015 05:20am
@Khan Because Khan Saheb Test matches are boring and in case of India-Pak both sides will be keen not to lose so the pitches will be dead and more fake records will be created.
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May 13, 2015 05:47am
@Harmony-1 I think you also know that why it happened in the first place..? how it started..? and who started it..?
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May 13, 2015 07:19am
Mr Modi just change your intolerance and things will improve.
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May 13, 2015 07:24am
Good lead
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May 13, 2015 07:36am
@Shahryar Shirazi I think we don't acknowledge that Bangladesh team has matured a lot and are no longer the push-overs as they used to be in the past. They played well. And our team is not that bad. We won the last test comprehensively, remember. Plus we have time to improve, there are still 5-6 months, if nothing goes wrong and series happen as being planned. I think it will be a closely contested series, India may have an edge but we will give them a strong fight.
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May 13, 2015 08:23am
@Ronan Really why did MS Dhoni took retirement from Cricket Test India team while Misbah is still there after 5 years as Captain :-) ?That tells the whole story.No more comment needed :-)
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May 13, 2015 10:56am
Sounds like a great plan. Pak team's performance in BD shows that they are at rock bottom. India can easily beat them to improve their all-time record as well as generate good feelings in India which will no doubt help Modi's image even further.
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May 13, 2015 11:40am
@XYZ - Yes - only when we have resolve to behave responsibly with each other - no acrimony, no calling names, civilized behavior - are we games? BTW, there is always the Asian Cup to fight for!
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May 13, 2015 11:56am
@Love Pakistan why in every india pakistan matter you need to bring china?
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May 13, 2015 12:10pm
Good Move! If Pakistani actors and singers can go and perform in India why not Pakistani players. They should open the doors of IPL for Pakistani players. Politics should be away from sports.
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May 13, 2015 12:29pm
We should have few side matches before the series.May be Kapil eleven vs Wasim Akram eleven and each team should be compromised of both Indian and Pakistani players;this will give a friendly message to fans of both countries.At the same both cricket boards must guide the crowd to behave properly post match result.
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May 13, 2015 12:44pm
This really shows the mindset of Indian and Pakistani leaders- immaturity. How many times has "cricket diplomacy" been practiced? Has it worked in the past 60+ years? The problem is they treat politics and international relations like cricket- a game. And to all of you fools who are so happy to read this news: go waste your time being happy over something else.
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May 13, 2015 12:53pm
@Noor You are really asking tooooooo much.
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May 13, 2015 01:10pm
bravo! but the participation of Pakistani players in IPL would also be fruitful for both countries' relation.
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May 13, 2015 01:10pm
As much as I would love Pakistan to play against India I really don't care anymore so now I think we should break all ties with them. No friendship and no enemy just keep out of each others affairs for a few years until we have sane leaders on both sides then we can hope for real progress.
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May 13, 2015 01:39pm
What is the use of such series? Does it help in improving the relations between the two countries in any way? Increasing trade and student exchange programs etc would be of some use instead of this
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May 13, 2015 01:39pm
@khan - Woh...what a wise man you are....
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May 13, 2015 01:53pm
The ultra rightist elements in the BJP should be permanently deradicalized by showing them the benefits of an ultimate peace in the subcontinent. Resumption of cricket will certainly help. Every kind of CBM will help. Modi has the capacity to do all this, though unfortunately he carries the stigma of the horrible Gujarat massacres which renders stillborn his reaching out, to some.
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May 13, 2015 01:54pm
Matches should be on the base of rivalry (i mean only sports) not friendship than it will be exciting and UAE both crowds will be more exciting.
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May 13, 2015 03:01pm
I think the Indian govt is making a blatant error of judgement. Using cricket as a via media has never worked in the past starting from Zia days. It is a divisive step. If there is intent to better relations then it should be a direct approach and not through inuendoes.
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May 13, 2015 04:43pm
When not serious about something, turn to cricket diplomacy, sports should be kept out of dirty politics.
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May 13, 2015 06:00pm
@Khan I would have loved it 5 test sceries is heaven for me
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May 13, 2015 06:43pm
After seeing the defeat of Pakistani team from BD, he is very sure IND will defeat PAK so let's enjoy through cricket!
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May 13, 2015 07:37pm
Though India-Pakistan cricket history is not good in terms of relations between the two countries there is no harm in giving sports a chance for the sake of bonhomie.
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May 13, 2015 08:42pm
Cricket diplomacy is overrated.
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May 13, 2015 08:51pm
@sudhakar USA still waiting the main one, UN plebiscite in Kashmir. Rest irrelevant, not needed.
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