Top South Asian envoys talk of cricket and peace

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Indian and Pakistani envoys to the UN today noted that the friendly spirit on the cricket field should be reflected in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Top envoys of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka gathered at the Indian mission in the UN to watch the first cricket semi-final in World Cup.

"If we can do it in cricket, we can do it in diplomacy," Pakistan's envoy Abdullah Hussain Haroon told PTI.

Describing it as 'glorious day', Haroon said that the cricket stadium in Mohali had seen some 'good cricket' stadium.

Reflecting on whether the good spirit would stay after one team lost, Haroon said that both teams should play more against each other so that winning and losing isn't such a big deal. Haroon left after Pakistan's fourth batsman got out, saying he had to attend another meeting.

Hardeep Singh Puri, India's envoy, said that he agreed with his 'friend' Haroon.

"It's about time we applied ourselves seriously to solving some of our problems."

Millions of people on both side of the border have tuned into the game, which has been described as 'historic'. The Indian and Pakistani envoy noted that the friendly spirit on the cricket field should be reflected in bilateral relations between the two countries going forward.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is watching the game with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in Mohali.
Puri also welcomed the 'positive decisions' emerging from the first round of talks between the two countries, which wrapped up yesterday.

Pakistan has given the green light for an Indian commission to visit Pakistan in connection with 26/11 investigations, and both sides agreed to set up a hotline for exchanging real time terror alerts.

At the same time, the Indian envoy remarked that 'its just cricket…lets not expect miracles'.

Palitha T.B. Kohona, the Sri Lankan ambassador, said that his country was watching the game 'very carefully' because the winner would play against Sri Lanka in the final match.

Kohona also noted that it was 'great' that two teams from the Subcontinent would play in the final game.

"It has become a uniting factor in a region that is often a victim of tension and suspicion," he said.