No Decision on India-Pakistan Cricket Series: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj's remarks came in the backdrop of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan's recent visit to India to push for resumption of Indo-Pak cricket ties.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: May 31, 2015 08:05 PM IST
![No Decision on India-Pakistan Cricket Series: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj](https://s.ndtvimg.com/images/content/2015/feb/806/india-pakistan-fans-adelaide.jpg)
No decision has yet been taken on Indo-Pak cricket series, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said today. (Shahryar Khan hopes to revive India-Pakistan cricket ties)
Her remarks came in the backdrop of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan's recent visit to India to push for resumption of Indo-Pak cricket ties.
Khan, in a joint press statement with BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya in Kolkata, proposed a series comprising three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s in UAE in December this year. The BCCI has, however, not given any categorical statement yet on the proposed series and the venue. (PCB fumes, says won't play 'home' series in India)
"No decision has been taken. Where has this information come that this (Indo-Pak cricket series) has been decided and that I was not consulted. No decision has been taken," Swaraj said when asked about the reports that India will be playing bilateral cricket series with Pakistan. (India v Pakistan in UAE?)
India have not played a full bilateral Test series with Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks which led to suspension of cricketing ties between the two countries.
The two nations played a short series of three ODIs and two T20 matches in India in December 2012 but otherwise they have met only in ICC-organised events or the Asia Cup.
Zimbabwe became the first Test nation to tour Pakistan in over six years after international cricket in the country was brought to a halt by the 2009 terror attack on the visiting Sri Lankan team.
On India calling-off the talks last year after Pakistani High Commissioner held consultations with Kashmiri separatists, Swaraj said normally these separatists go and meet when any leader comes from Pakistan or officials of that country here.
"But here the Pakistan High Commissioner invited them (separatists) four days ahead of the dialogue with India. We told him that why he had invited them when the two countries were going to hold dialogue. In talks, we don't want any third party," Swaraj said.
To the question on Chinese assistance for an economic corridor through PoK, the minister said their (China) Ambassador was called to lodge protest.
"This time we did not keep it there. We lodged protest calling the Chinese ambassador. We lodged protest through our Ambassador there (Beijing). And when the Prime Minister had gone there (to China), he talked about it very firmly. He raised it very strongly that it is not acceptable to us what you are talking about China-Pakistan economic corridor going to PoK."
Asked about recent statements made by Home and Defence Ministers regarding the whereabouts of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and "terrorists have to be neutralised only through terrorists" respectively, she said there was no confusion while dealing with Pakistan "If there is bombardment on the border, the Home Minister will not keep quiet.
"He (Home minister) will have to retaliate and definitely he will speak in that language. Defence Minister has been given the responsibility of defending the country. He will have to ensure security. So he will speak that way".