After the beheading of two of its soldiers, India is stepping up diplomatic heat on Pakistan. Not only did it deny visas to Pakistani wrestlers for participating in an event here, it even asked a local NGO, which had invited 50 Pakistani children, to send them back saying such activities were not desirable under the current circumstances.
"The ministry advised the NGO that it was not an appropriate time for such exchanges after we learnt that the children had crossed over to India on May 1," MEA Spokesperson Gopal Bagley said.
Routes2Roots, a Delhi-based NGO, had invited 50 students from Pakistan as part of their Student 'Exchange for Change' programme.
The students from Pakistan were scheduled to go on a day-long trip to Agra on Wednesday and participate in an exchange of experiences with Indian students on Thursday at the Pakistan Embassy here.
The NGO expressed regret over the decision and said that students and teachers have been sent back to Lahore.
As pressure mounted on the Modi government in wake of beheading of two Indian soldiers, the government appeared to send out some tough message. The ministry of external affairs called the Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit to its office and told him that India viewed the beheading as a strong act of provocation.
But the casualty in the process has also been the sporting events and people to people cultural exchanges.
“Terrorism and sports can’t go along and Pakistan should understand that. The relation between India and Pakistan can be cordial only after Pakistan stops sponsoring cross-border terrorism,” Union sports minister Vijay Goel said.
This was the strongest statement that had come from a government functionary after condemnation statements issued by several ministers.
To a question asked by THE WEEK that if denial of visa for sporting events was a political call, Bagley said that as the minister had already articulated the views, he had nothing more to add. He was referring to the denial of visa to Pakistani wrestlers who wanted to participate in Asian championship to be held in New Delhi from May 10.
Earlier the Pakistan had complained that Indian High Commission in Pakistan had denied visa to its squash players. However, Bagley said visas were issued many days ago, but they refused to take it.
It seems like that the chill between the two countries will last longer as pressure is mounting on the BJP government to take punitive action against the neighbouring country for beheading the Indian soldiers.
