Until Pakistan says no to terrorism, India shouldn't go to play cricket there: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur

Anurag Thakur didn't mince his words when he was asked if India should travel to Pakistan next year to play in the ICC Champions Trophy.

India went to Pakistan to play cricket for the last time in 2006. Since then, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made repeated attempts to convince the Indian team to come to their country but that hasn't come to fruition. The current Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur, was asked whether the Men in Blue should travel to their neighbouring country to play the ninth edition of the Champions Trophy.

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The 49-year-old said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will decide whether to go or not. However, he said that cricket and terrorism cannot go hand-in-hand. Thakur also stated that according to him, India shouldn't take the trip to Pakistan as long as their neighbours stop terror conspiracies.

"See, the BCCI will have to decide. But when I was in the BCCI, I said that two things can't walk hand-in-hand. You will spread terrorism in India, fire bullets, try to plant bombs, and also talk about playing cricket. These two things can't continue together. First, stop firing bullets, and planting bombs, and stop terrorism. Then, the stadiums will be lit up. However, as long as they continue terrorist activities, the Indian team shouldn't go to Pakistan to play cricket. I had said that before when I was in the BCCI and the board has continued with the same policy," he told News24.

He also went on to ask the spectators in attendance whether India should go to Pakistan. It seemed that they unanimously supported the minister's views.

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Last year, Pakistan co-hosted the Asia Cup with Sri Lanka. Initially, the Men in Green were scheduled to exclusively host the event but India were unwilling to play in Pakistan. As a result, Sri Lanka were added as the co-hosts and India played all their matches in the island nation.