Jaishankar met the foreign ministers of G4 (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil) in New York on Thursday and slammed Pakistan for exporting terrorism to India.
Even as the relationship between India and Pakistan is on the boil, External Affairs Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar ruled out any chance of resuming cricketing ties with the controversial neighbour.
Jaishankar met the foreign ministers of G4 (India, Japan, Germany, Brazil) in New York on Thursday and slammed Pakistan for exporting terrorism to India.
He did not hold back when asked about resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan. "India is a democracy and people will not accept cricket and terror. We cannot take a tea break next day and then play cricket. Cannot have terror by night and cricket by day," he said.
Even as tension is growing between the two nations, there is gradual rise in the number of people objecting to Indian cricketers taking the field alongside Pakistani players in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10 League in November.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan is currently involved with the league and will take on the field along with the controversial former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, who has been named the icon player for Qalandars, which plays in the Pakistan Super League.
The BCCI doesn't allow its contracted players to play in any league other than its own Indian Premier League, but retired and non-contracted players can participate in the tournament.
"It completely depends on the players and BCCI if they are cleared to take part in the league. The organising team of Abu Dhabi T10 and my team owners have been extremely supportive of me, the format in itself is so exciting it keeps you on toes and makes you think each delivery. It would be great to see more Indian players in T10," Khan had said earlier this week in Mumbai.
The teams and their line-ups are yet to be announced. Thus, it is not known about the other Indian players who will show interest in participating in the tournament sanctioned by International Cricket Council.
Last season, former India opener Virender Sehwag was supposed to take the field in the league, however, he pulled out at the last minute, but some players like RP Singh and Munaf Patel plied their trade in the tourney.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has refrained from maintaining cricketing relationship with Pakistan for the last seven years. The last bilateral series between the two was held in 2012-13 when India hosted Pakistan for three One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals. The last Test series between the archrivals was played in 2007 before BCCI put a full stop after terror strikes in Mumbai.
However, the two nations play each other in the International Cricket Council tournaments due to the obligations.
Former India cricketer and Member of Parliament Gautam Gambhir had voiced his opinion against playing Pakistan even during this year's World Cup in England. "Personally, there's nothing wrong in forfeiting the game as well, two points aren't that important, for me jawans are more important than any cricket game. Country comes first," he had said.
Not long ago, the All India Cine Workers Association had banned Mika Singh for performing live at the wedding festivities of Pervez Musharraf's relative in Karachi. Singh later apologised for his actions.
It would be interesting to see if Indian cricketers step on to the field with Pakistan players in the tournament that is owned by Indian-origin UAE businessman Shaji Ul Mulk, the chairman of T10 Sports Management.
It is learnt that two top media companies will be broadcasting the tournament live on their various television and digital platforms.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "S Jaishankar")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}