Cricket: A potent tool of diplomacy



July 16, 2012
Diplomacy is a vital cog in international relations; it is a process of amicably dissuading other states from doing something detrimental to a state’s interest. It also includes the abdication of some secondary interests in lieu of some favors. However, states do not find the middle ground on their vital interests, and are not reticent to go to war for their protection. Ever since, the inception of India and Pakistan, the region has witnessed, nothing but strained ties alternated with bouts of tranquillized milieus. There are various stumbling blocks, which continue to vitiate the relations between the two nemeses, but will not be delved upon in this piece. Both nations resorted to diplomacy to ameliorate ties with each other, but as yet have failed to achieve the desired results. However, whatever strides have been made for achieving thaws have been espoused by the love for cricket across the 1610 long international border. To say that cricket binds the two nations together is ludicrous, for both nations lock-horns. In order to look at the resumption of cricket ties in a broader spectrum, one needs to look at the past.
The love for this dynamic game has been used as a tool of diplomacy. The fact that, Indo-Pak matches are or were in high demand; good relations were all the more imperative. Cricket between the two nations started in 1952; the acrimony was same like that in the war zones, but due to wars and conflicts, cricket trysts were intermittent, yet riveting. For instance, when Shoaib Akhtar was steaming in at National Stadium Karachi on 13th March, 2004, it was after 1989 that India came to Pakistan for a bilateral series. Anyways, the relation between cricket and diplomacy came to the forefront in 1987.
Some analysts call General Sundarjee as the bravest Indian Army chief, but he was the man responsible for indirectly orchestrating “Cricket Diplomacy”. He introduced the “Sundurjee Doctrine” which was based on 7 defensive holding corps and 3 strike corps. In a quest to test the doctrine, India embarked upon the massive operation “Brasstacks”, which was then, the largest build-up for an exercise. However, due to the type of ammunition used, and the fact that all was being done close to the border, the cats were set among the pigeons. Nukes were assembled; forces were mustered, and both states were on the cusp of war. However, General Zia was astute enough to visit India for ostensibly watching the Indo-Pak match, but it was a perfect example of cricket diplomacy; war was averted as Rajeev and Zia sat together. Without doubt, cricket helped in avoiding disaster.
The sheer euphoria of Indo-Pak encounters made the diplomacy possible. Again, due to strained relations both teams did not meet each other after 3rd June 2000 till 13thMarch, 2004, barring the WC 2003 encounter. This was mainly due to the aftermath of the attack on Indian Parliament on 13th December, 2001. Again, operation “Parakram” brought both countries on the brink of war.
While responding me, Mani Shankar Aiyar termed Musharraf’s tenure as the golden epoch in Indo-Pak relations. True, the bilateral ties between BBCI and PCB resumed, with India’s tour to Pakistan in 2004. Relations were bettered due to strengthened cricket ties and vice versa. We all witnessed enthralling cricket from 2004 to 2007, both in India and Pakistan. Celebrities went across the border for the explicit purpose of cricket. Even General Musharaf went to watch the ODI at Delhi on 17th April,2006 and had fruitful discussions with Dr Manmahoon. Things were going smoothly; Pakistani players adorned the first edition of the Indian Premier League, with Sohail Tanveer receiving the Purple Cap. Soon, the ties were vitiated by the Mumbai attacks. War was imminent; cricket wilted under the virulence of terrorism. Since 2007’s Pakistan tour to India, both teams have only played 8 ODI’s that too in multilateral events, to include the World cup Semi-Final at Mohali on the 30th of March.
This match ended as a debacle for the Afridi-led team, but since both Prime Ministers along with their entourage  had lengthy discussion, it paved the way for future permutations. Ever since then we have seen a Détente of some sorts. Off-late Sialkot Stallions, the champion of the domestic T20 tournament have been invited for the Champions League.
Now, the BCCI has officially called Pakistan for a short tour in December. The tour will entail 3 ODI’s and 2 T20’s, hence, after 5 years, bilateral relations have recommenced. Is this significant? Indeed, it is not only a sigh of relief for cricket lovers across the globe, but also for aspirants of peaceful co-existence. Cricket will open-up avenues of resolving issues, or at the  least  purvey  opportunities to delve on all bones of contention. It will augment people to people contact.
Having said that, cricket is not that potent a panacea for foisting peace. There are some grievous conflicts, which have jeopardized the region since the past so many years. Besides these conundrums, skepticism and recrimination has left in a huff. The only way-out is to continuously embroil in a composite and certainly, cricket will 

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