Cricketing diplomacy

BY SANJAY Kapoor

WHEN it comes to solving old disputes of history, nothing works in South Asia - neither wars nor democracy.

India and Pakistan have fought four wars over Kashmir in the last 58 years of their existence, but it did not help them find a solution to the nettlesome problem. Elections, too, have not helped.

In Indian part of Kashmir, recent elections have been free and fair, but it was a botched poll many years ago that contributed substantially in fanning the flames of violence and secessionism.

In Sri Lanka, long years of war and even elections have not really brought the two sides any closer to a solution.

This cycle of violence and more violence has only fattened gunrunners, drug dealers and other merchants of death. All the old disputes that this subcontinent inherited from the British rulers have endured.

They have sapped our resources and kept a large part of the world mired in degrading poverty and deprivation. If India and Pakistan had managed to settle their issue at the time of partition then this region would have witnessed unparalleled economic growth, as large part of their resources would not have been diverted in fighting wars and sustaining large armies.

Similarly, a peaceful Sri Lanka would have made it an island of progress and prosperity.

In the last many years, all kinds of peace formulas have been tried, but without much success - save for one - cricket diplomacy. Surely, such a formula would not come from the Norwegians or the Americans who just don't understand the magic of the game.

They also do not quite comprehend the maniacal support that the game enjoys in the sub-continent. It cuts across religion, region, caste, class, politics and every other human or natural divide. It was this realisation that helped in putting together a creative diplomatic initiative seen in the recent past.

In 2004, India and Pakistan decided to restore cricketing ties after a gap of 14 years. At that time the pro-majoritarian, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was heading the alliance government. This decision by a party that loved to hate Pakistan, stumped every one - even their worst enemies.

This decision came a few years after both countries fought a bitter battle in one of the most inhospitable terrains of the world and came close to sparring once more when terrorists attacked Indian parliament.

The question on people's mind was: can cricket diplomacy work in an environment of mistrust? What about security of the players - would they be safe in an enemy country? There was an assurance from the flamboyant Pakistani President General Mussharraf that his security forces would look after their security and do every thing to make their stay comfortable.

Armed with these promises the Indian cricketers crossed over to what was known, not too long ago, as the enemy country. Hatred and suspicion melted as the Pakistanis welcomed them with open arms.

It is possible that the Pakistani leadership may have choreographed the welcome and told the security agencies not to harass those who wave the Indian tri-colour.

In spite of these suggestions, the warmth and spontaneity surprised all those Indians who lived in a world of hate - based stereotypes. Indians were welcomed as lost relatives.

Restaurants fed their guests free. It was a reception that Indians had never received anywhere in the world. It seemed that they had come home.

In the cricketing arena, Indian performance was cheered by Pakistanis. Their victory was celebrated as their own. Writing on diplomacy began to resemble cricket reportage.

Performance of Virendra Sehwag, Inzimam and Irfan Pathan were written about in the same breath as Condoleezza Rice and Jaswant Singh. Was it happening? Were the walls of hate and mistrust created by politics crumbling under the bouncers of the fast bowlers and lusty batting of batters?

At the time when the matches were going on - it seemed as if differences did not exist between the two neighbours. Kashmiri separatist leaders felt at a loose end as the cricket lovers in the valley, too, joined the sub-continental party.

After a hugely successful trip to Pakistan, experts on strategic affairs tried to make light of the contribution of the game to sorting out problems. They were still stuck in cold war mindset mouthing cliches that seemed so out synch with the times.

It is true that the cricket did not solve the Kashmir issue, but it helped in breaking stereotypes. It also took the wind out of the hot heads like Bal Thackeray - a cricket enthusiast himself - who wanted India to give a bloody nose to Pakistan.

There were fewer people who were bad - mouthing Pakis and perceiving it as a country of mad mullahs. After the euphoria of cricket had settled down, interestingly, rhetoric of hate did not slide back into pre - 2004 days.

Cricket had been a fabulous Confidence Building Measure (CBM) and helped in making the masses partners in the tortuous peace process.

Although Kashmir issue has not been solved, but there have been many gains. Now buses ply between the two countries on a more regular basis. Kashmiris are crossing over from the line of control to visit their relatives across the border.

However, the biggest confidence building measure would take place when free trade begins to happen across the border.

Maybe Kashmir issue would take some more years before there is a settlement, but it is possible that the people of the two countries would not be too excised about it as they were some years ago when neighbours demonised each other. In all this the cricket series of 2004 may have played a great role.

Can cricket solve another old dispute across the Palk Strait? If India does not want to broker peace between the Tamil tigers and Sri Lankans, its affluent cricket board can help in organising a friendly series where players from the war torn Jaffna play along with Sinhala cricketers.

The composition of the cricket team could be a matter of details, but the matches should take place in Jaffna, Chennai and Colombo. These matches should be backed by guarantees similar to the ones given by Pakistan President Mussharraf.

(The writer is the Editor of Hardnews India. He is a former Asiaweek correspondent.)