Sushma rules out possibility of resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan

Srinagar, Jan 1 (KMW): External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has ruled out the possibility of resumption of cricketing ties with Pakistan, citing the frequent exchange of firing at the Line of Control (LoC) as the reason, the Times of India reported on Monday.
Swaraj made the comments at a meeting of the consultative committee attached to the foreign ministry. “The high number of cross-border firings did not set the tone for engagements such as a cricket series,” Swaraj was quoted as saying.

The external affairs minister was replying to a query on whether restarting the long-suspended cricket exchange could be an option for easing tensions between the two countries.
Due to political tensions, the two arch-rivals haven’t faced each other in a bilateral cricket series since Pakistan’s tour of India during the 2012-13 season.
Meanwhile, the 2005-06 series remains India’s last visit of Pakistan.
On Sunday, in an interview with The Week, PCB Chairman Najam Sethi stressed upon the importance — both financial and otherwise — of Indo-Pak cricket series, urging the two countries to set aside their political differences for the sake of the game. (Agencies)