JOIN USThe move to resume cricketing ties between India and Pakistan is premature, even after the Mohali spirit lifted sentiments in both countries. What the Mohali engagement did was more symbolic than substantial and there is no doubt that it has opened up many possibilities. But they still remain possibilities which need to be tested in the light of the still existing realities. These have not changed much in the last few weeks. Pakistan remains a dangerous place, with almost every day witnessing terrorist actions directed against different targets. The security of the Indian cricket team will be a matter of serious concern for the foreseeable future in Pakistan. The near fatal attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan is too recent to be ignored. The security situation in that country has not improved since and the potential risk for an Indian team may be greater than for the Lankan team. It is almost impossible to provide fool proof security when the teams play in open stadia. Indian cricket teams have received warm welcome from civil society in Pakistan in the past but the political and security environments were different then.
Bilateral cricketing relations were snapped after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Both countries are trying to pick up the threads in all areas of bilateral relations now. While Pakistan is keen on a return to the pre-Mumbai state of mutual engagement it has not responded positively to India’s concerns and acted on them. The recent disclosure of the Pakistan Canadian Lashkar-e-Toiba operative Tahawwur Rana about the role of the Pakistan government and the ISI in the Mumbai attack exposes yet again the duplicity of the Pakistani establishment in its India policy. The Pakistan government is yet to satisfactorily comply with India’s demands on the trial of those responsible for the attack. There are also reports that anti-India organisations are freely carrying on their campaigns.
A number of goodwill gestures like release of prisoners have been taken by both countries in recent days. Talks have also been scheduled between officials of both governments in the coming weeks. While India should be keen on normalisation of relations with Pakistan it should not compromise on its stand on what Pakistan should do to contain terror. A visit by the Indian cricket team is not advisable from this point of view too, apart from the security aspect.