Pakistan-India Relations: Bridging the Gap through Cricket Diplomacy for Peace and Political Integration

Abstract

Pakistan came into being as a result of partition of India on August 14, 1947 which was a British Indian Colony. There are many unresolved disputes between Pakistan and India. Kashmir is the bone of contention and has caused severe damages to the socio-economic conditions of both the countries. Although the Kashmir dispute has been presented at different international forums like the United Nations Organization yet after 73 years the dispute has not been resolved. There are tensions on both sides of the border. The "lowering of the flags", ceremony at the Wagha border is an interesting event and the chanting of slogans from both sides promote hatred between the people of both the countries. Though there are many misunderstandings between the two nations but there is still ray of hope. Cricket has most of the times played a role of successful diplomacy when the tensions were on peak. It has promoted harmony among the people of both the nations. Cricket has contributed in peace building. The most famous game of both the countries, is cricket that has also suffered and remained suspended at different times due to the escalations. Cricket has become a source of inter-state marriages as Pakistani cricketers have married to Indians. Cricket has been observed as addiction in the spectators of Pakistan and India. It sparks the sentiments of the spectators and their support for the players in the cricket ground during match.