ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Jaishankar Uses Cricket Analogies to Reinforce India’s Firm Stance on Pakistan
India decided not to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In response, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar used a cricket analogy to explain India's foreign policy towards Pakistan, highlighting the country's stance in a way that relates to the sport.
At an event marketing the release of Mohinder Amarnath’s memoir “Fearless”, S. Jaishankar discussed India’s policy towards Pakistan. He explained that the country’s approach has shifted from the “traditional side-on position” to an “open-chested position”, emphasising a more direct and open stance in dealing with Pakistan.
S. Jaishankar was referring to India’s 1982 tour of Pakistan, where several legendary cricketers, including Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, were part of the team. During the tour, India lost the six-match Test series 3-0, which became a significant part of India’s cricketing history. Jaishankar said:
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.
Jaishankar emphasised the significance of India’s 1983 World Cup victory, stating that although Pakistan and Sri Lanka won the tournament later, their wins did not have the same impact on cricket as India’s historic triumph. He noted that India’s role in the cricketing world fundamentally changed after that World Cup win.
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