New Delhi - Despite apprehensions raised by some BJP lawmakers about a proposed India-Pakistan cricket series, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to break the ice with the neighbouring country through "cricket diplomacy".
"We have taken the decision to start a cricket series between both countries to improve our relations," said Modi on Tuesday during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary party meeting, a BJP lawmaker who was present told Indian news agency IANS on the condition of anonymity.
Soon after a resolution was adopted appreciating initiatives taken by the Modi government during its first year in office, Modi said some of the members have expressed concern against the series and that is why he was "clearing the air", said the source.
Party lawmaker RK Singh, a former home secretary, had raised apprehension over the issue in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Cricketer-turned-BJP MP Kirti Azad had also opposed the move.
The parliamentary party also commended Modi for his achievements during the past one year in office and a resolution was passed in this regard, the source said. The resolution appreciated the prime minister's efforts for enhancing India's image among the international community, the MP told IANS.
The Pakistan Cricket Board previously announced they were hopeful a series against arch-rival India could be resumed, even suggesting the Indian team would be welcome to tour Pakistan. "The security situation (in Pakistan) is improving fast but we know that right now India would not be able to come for a full tour," Sheharyar Khan has said.
"We therefore have decided that we'd play in the UAE," said Khan, adding the boards have signed a memorandum of understanding to play each other five times over eight years.
Meanwhile, India has taken up with China the issue of the Chinese providing assistance to Pakistan to construct projects in areas that run through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Azad Kashmir), said Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday.
Chinese President Xi Jingping had announced huge infrastructure projects through Azad Kashmir during his recent visit to Pakistan.
“The matter has been taken up with the Chinese government through diplomatic channels. It has been taken up with the Chinese ambassador in Delhi and also by our ambassador in Beijing,” Jaishankar said while briefing the media on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to China.
India summoned the Chinese envoy in Delhi to object to the project. India has before expressed its concerns about China routing its corridor through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but President Xi Jingping had dismissed objections, describing the economic corridor as "a commercial project".
Modi leaves on May 14 for China following which he will travel to Mongolia on May 17 before ending the trip with a two-day visit to South Korea.
Jaishankar said that during the Prime Minister’s visit, India and China are expected to sign several business agreements. The first India-China State and Provincial Forum meeting will also be held which is expected to be attended by the chief ministers of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The foreign secretary pointed out that there was already a history of exchanges between chief ministers of various Indian states and mayors of various Chinese provinces adding that an attempt was now being made to create a forum for CMs and Mayors meet regularly.