Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's invitation to Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to visit Mohali for the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan is a step in the right direction — towards building goodwill as a prelude to normalisation of relations between the estranged neighbours. But much depends on the sportsman spirit with which both sides play and respond to the outcome. At best, it is a good insurance against any terrorist attack.
K.C. Mehta,
Baroda
Cricket is never just a sport when India and Pakistan face each other; it becomes a fight for supremacy forgetting that a win or loss in this whimsical game does not prove any point. Under such circumstances, Dr. Singh's invitation will leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Y.S. Kadakshamani,
Madurai
India-Pakistan cricket matches have always been a visual treat and a nerve-wrecking experience, for both the players and the spectators. India is in form and a favourite to win this World Cup. At the same time, Pakistan has emerged as a surprising high scorer in the tournament. It would be interesting to see the historic rivals fighting it out.
Vidushi Gupta,
Jhansi
The Mohali semi-final should not be unduly hyped, to spare both teams pressure and tension. True cricket lovers should be freed from the unnecessary build-up of emotions caused by media sensationalism.
V.S. Ganeshan,
Bangalore
A.B. Vajpayee invited Pervez Musharraf and Rajiv Gandhi invited Zia ul Haq to witness cricket matches between the two countries.
Despite the failures of the earlier occasions, if India's extended hands are taken by the opposite side this time, it will do well for the region and the world at large.
S. Chidambaresa Iyer,
Chennai
An international sporting event achieving what diplomacy has not been able to achieve — bringing together leaders of two estranged neighbours — is soft diplomacy at its best.
But cricketing bonhomie has been tried in the past but with limited success. The excitement lasts only as long as the match itself.
The troubled relationship between India and Pakistan is deeply rooted in historical issues that are impervious to symbolic gestures of goodwill, however well meaning.
Pakistan has been witnessing an existential struggle between moderates and extremists. The outcome of this battle of ideas in Pakistan will decide the future course of Indo-Pak relations.
V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram
In the subcontinent, where cricket is a religion, the Mohali semi-final is going to be a widely watched event.
The arrival of leaders of the two countries to watch the match will not only be a victory for the sport but also promote understanding. This invitation shows India's will and desire to build a confident relationship between the neighbours.
