US congratulates India, Pak for cricket diplomacy
The US today congratulated India and Pakistan for progress made in the peace talks and lauded the leadership of the two countries for initiating "cricket diplomacy".
The US on Wednesday congratulated India and Pakistan for progress made in the peace talks and lauded the leadership of the two countries for initiating "cricket diplomacy".
"We commend the leaders of both countries for carrying forward with what the media is calling cricket diplomacy," US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said.
In a statement issued here, he also applauded the progress made on a wide range of issues in the just-concluded Home Secretary level talks.
Roemer wished Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani for success in their endeavours.
This is Gilani's first visit to India after becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan in March 2008. The two leaders had earlier met in Sharm-el-Shaikh, Washington and most recently last year in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit.
"India and Pakistan will take the talks forward at their own pace, ability and character. Continued dialogue, combined with cricket diplomacy, expanding people-to-people ties and enthusiasm and optimism on both sides, offers promise of a more prosperous and peaceful region," Roemer said.
Gilani is in Mohali to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and Pakistan.
Singh had invited Gilani to watch the sporting event after it became clear last week that India would take on Pakistan in the semi-final.