Indo-Pak Cricket: State Department Emphasizes Sports Diplomacy

WASHINGTON, DC (ANI) – US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel emphasized the importance of sports diplomacy in fostering human connections, stating that the department prioritizes its role in building ties between people. During a regular press briefing on November 14, Patel reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sports as a “potent and connecting force.”

“Sports is certainly a potent and connecting force. This department really prioritizes the role that sports diplomacy has in connecting people. It is something that I know is incredibly important… At the end, sports connects so many people and is a great way for the human-to-human ties that this administration has prioritized,” Patel said.

His remarks came in response to questions regarding India’s decision not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, citing security concerns. The tournament is one of the major ICC events scheduled after the ICC T20 World Cup, which was co-hosted by the US and West Indies earlier this year.

On the broader issue of India-Pakistan relations, Patel clarified that it is up to the two nations to address their bilateral issues, underscoring that the US would not intervene in their discussions. “As it relates to the relationship between India and Pakistan, that is certainly for them to speak to… I will let them speak for their own bilateral relationship; certainly not something for us to get in the middle of,” he said.

India officially communicated its stance of not traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy due to security concerns. The ICC recently informed the Pakistan Cricket Board in writing that India would not be participating in the tournament, set to take place in early 2025.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has requested the ICC to explore a hybrid model for the matches involving the Indian team. India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13 in India, with the teams primarily meeting in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup since then.