Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said on Friday that India will not play any bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan unless the latter stops cross-border terrorism.
“The BCCI decided long ago that it would not play any bilateral matches with Pakistan until they stopped terrorism. We will not resume our cricketing ties with Pakistan unless they stop carrying out attacks across the border or infiltration incidents,” Thakur told the media in Rajasthan’s Udaipur.
His remarks came amid a growing demand for India to cut off its cricketing ties with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan after four security personnel were killed in a gunfight by Islamic terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag on Wednesday.
Calling the incident unfortunate, Thakur said, “The Modi government has taken drastic steps against terrorism. Terror incidents have come down in the last nine years. What has happened in Kashmir is unfortunate and very sad. We will give the terrorists a befitting reply.”
“When the 26/11 attacks (Mumbai 2008 attacks) happened, the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government remained a mute spectator,” he added.
The last time India and Pakistan played in a bilateral series was in 2012–13. However, India has continued to play Pakistan in ICC events and the Asia Cup.
