US bats for India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy

The United States has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani's "promising" cricket diplomacy during Wednesday's Cricket World Cup match between their teams.

The United States has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani's "promising" cricket diplomacy during Wednesday's Cricket World Cup match between their teams.

HT Image

"The expansion of dialogue between India and Pakistan is a welcome and encouraging development for both countries, for the region, and for the world," State department spokesman Mark Toner said in a press statement on Thursday.

"The United States congratulates the people of Pakistan and India on the cricket match between the two nations' teams, and their respective Prime Ministers on their promising 'cricket diplomacy,'" he said.

"The match showcased world-class cricket, sportsmanship, and statesmanship. The expansion of dialogue between India and Pakistan is a welcome and encouraging development for both countries, for the region, and for the world."

"It builds on the substantial progress achieved by the Interior and Home Secretaries earlier this week," Toner said.

"The United States welcomes the ongoing engagement between India and Pakistan. We continue to believe that talks should continue at a pace, time, and scope of the two governments' choosing."

"We applaud both leaders and their citizens for the creative initiative, warm spirit and friendly competition on display during the match," he said.