'Cricket Ties Subject To Progress In Relations'

India said it was open to restoration of cricket ties with Pakistan but subject to"satisfactory" progress on the political and diplomatic fronts.

The resumption of cricket ties was definitely under consideration but a decision on it "cannot be taken immediately", Sports Minister Vikram Verma said. "We cannot make a commitment on playing with Pakistan now. But yes, if things move positively in all directions, cricket may follow suit," he said in an interview.

Verma said there was enough time to take a decision because there were no immediate fixtures scheduled for theIndian team with Pakistan.

"As it is there is no fresh proposal right now (from the cricket board). As and when we receive such a proposal, wewill take a decision in consultation with the External Affairs Ministry and the Home Ministry," Verma said.

"But things will not happen overnight. It is not as if the trains will start today and we will start playing cricket tomorrow. Relations will have to improve overall," he said.

The BCCI had last week given a formal request to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee urging him to allow bilateral cricket ties which have been stalled for the last three years.

Verma said a decision on the letter was still pending. "The PM is yet to give his approval. The Sports Ministryhas not received any communication from the PMO in this regard."

India and Pakistan faced-off during the World Cup in South Africa in February-March this year.

But India have not played a Test series in Pakistan since 1989. Pakistan visited the country in 1999 for a two-Testseries but the Kargil conflict later in the year prompted India to snap cricket ties with itsneighbour.

The Sports Minister said relations with Pakistan had definitely improved over the last few days but Islamabadneeded to make more efforts to put a curb on the menace of cross-border terrorism.

"If relations improve with a country, there will be positive fall-outs. Restrictions on various things will be lifted including the game of cricket," Verma said.

India was scheduled to tour Pakistan last month but the government did notclear it. Pakistan has now invited Indiato play in February next year and the two teams are also likely to feature in the Asia Cupsoon after.

The Minister, however, said, playing cricket will alone not solve matters as was being projected by former Pakistanicricketers.

"It is not as if relations will improve just by playing cricket. We had been playing cricket with them all theseyears. We cannot play cricket and the same time swear at each other," he said.

Verma also said India was not averse to playing cricket at the off-shore venue ofSharjah. "We had taken a decision not to allow our team to play in Sharjah. But now if we are sufficiently convinced about thevenue and if the International Cricket Council calendar stipulates for a fixture there or if there is an invitation,we will consider the possibility," he said.

Verma said India will take a decision on sporting ties with Pakistan in other disciplines and participation in multi-event games depending on the situation.

"We decided not to participate in the SAF Games in Islamabad because of the security situation. Even ourAmbassador was not there. We could not risk the safety of our athletes. But in future if things improve we may decide to participate," hesaid.

PTI