'Tournaments keep coming and you are aware of the government's stand' - S Jaishankar opines on India-Pakistan cricketing ties

India's Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has revealed the government's firm stance on cross-border terrorism amidst the ongoing row between the BCCI and PCB regarding the participation of the former in next year's Asia Cup in Pakistan. Jaishankar backed the BCCI's decision of not letting Indian players travel to the neighboring country for next year's continental tournament, dismissing cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.

The PCB had threatened to pull out of next year's 50-over World Cup in India after BCCI secretary Jay Shah had revealed that the Indian players won't be traveling to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023. Shah, who is also the incumbent ACC chief, proposed to shift next year's continental tournament to a neutral venue, ensuring India's participation in the competition. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar clearly stated the Indian government's stance amidst the ongoing row between the two cricketing boards with an emphatic statement. He stated that unless the neighbors start eliminating the terror threats harboring in the country, India will not participate in any tournament hosted by Pakistan. 

"Tournaments keep coming and you are aware of the government's stand. Let's see what happens. Will you talk to your neighbor if he holds a gun to your head? If your neighbor openly promotes terror, will you talk to them? Our aim is to see how they can be brought out of the clutches of terror. It is an exceptional situation on the India-Pakistan border. But we hope they leave the path of terror.

"You know our stand on cricket. We should never accept that a country has the right to sponsor terror. Unless we don’t delegitimize this, it will continue. So, there should be global pressure on Pakistan. The pressure won’t come unless the victims of terror don’t voice themselves. India should, in a way, lead the way because our blood is spilled,” Jaishankar said," S Jaishankar said at Agenda Aaj Tak while talking about holding a dialogue with Pakistan.

The two Asian giants produced a thrilling encounter when they clashed at the MCG in a T20 World Cup tie in October, with India prevailing on the back of Virat Kohli's astonishing innings.