External Affairs Minister Jaishankar uses cricketing reference to describe India's foreign policy

The diplomatic tussle between India and Pakistan has been a long-standing one. The intense dynamic between the two nations has left its mark on cricket too. Each India-Pakistan encounter has always had a high-octane buildup. The nature of the rivalry is such that it regularly attracts eyeballs from all around the globe. It is reasonable to conclude that public affairs have had its fair role in both nations' attitude towards the other - in the realm of sports and otherwise. 

A thought-provoking parallel between cricket and India's foreign policy was made by Minister of External Affairs of India, S. Jaishankar, while addressing an audience at the launch of the "Fearless", a memoir of former Indian cricketer, Mohinder Amarnath. 

"You said you played them better because from the traditional side-on position, you now move to an open-chested position. I couldn't have found a better description for a Pakistan policy that time," stated Jaishankar, as quoted by India Today.

An immense pleasure to release former Indian Cricketer Mohinder Amarnath’s memoir ‘Fearless’.

Thanked the legend for all the memories. His composure, competence and character hold many lessons, for cricket, for life and surely for diplomacy. pic.twitter.com/umQTqZzSGP

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 28, 2024

He observed that the advancement of India's diplomatic strategy was at a rate as rapid as India's status in world cricket enhanced after their inaugural World Cup triumph.  

"It was not just the inflection point, but the Man of the Match of the inflection point. Pakistan won it at one point and Sri Lanka won it at one point. But nowhere else was it as big an inflection point as it was in the history of cricket. Because, if you look at India's role in world cricket after 1983, it fundamentally changed," he noted.

Also Read: Reports: ECB bans players from participating in Pakistan Super League

It (foreign policy) is like cricket: Jaishankar

The 69-year-old detailed on how negotiations and relationships between one nation and the other is a lot similar to cricket.

"It is like cricket because, first, there are many players. Two, the playing conditions keep varying. Playing at home and playing abroad are very different. You are at the umpire's whims at times. There are many formats. And at the end of the day, a lot of it is about psychology, trying to outthink the other team, trying to get into their heads. That every time you go out there to do your business, it is actually that competitive spirit that you tell yourself, 'I have to win this'," added Jaishankar.

The memorable event had a lot of other famous dignitaries invited. Former Indian World Cup-winning skipper, Kapil Dev, was also one of the guests. For the unversed, Amarnath won the Player of the Match award in the historic 1983 WC final at Lord's for an all-round display.