SCO Summit Sees India-Pakistan Cricket Talks Revived

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, a rare conversation between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has opened a window for potentially resuming cricket ties between the two countries. Meeting on the sidelines of the summit, the ministers discussed the possibility of India participating in the Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted by Pakistan in February 2025.

This interaction, held during both dinner and lunch, is significant as it is the first direct conversation between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan since 2015. One of the key topics discussed was cricket, with Jaishankar, a known cricket enthusiast, expressing interest in the sport's potential role in diplomacy. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, also Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was involved in the discussions.

The PCB has been advocating for India's participation in the Champions Trophy and has even proposed flexible scheduling options to accommodate India's cricketing commitments. The last time the Indian cricket team toured Pakistan was in 2006, and a successful visit in 2025 could open the door for future bilateral matches. However, sources have cautioned that these discussions are at a very early stage and will require further negotiations before any concrete decisions can be made.

Unlike past meetings where tensions flared over political issues like Kashmir, this summit saw a more amicable tone between the two nations. The absence of provocative statements from both sides suggests a possible shift toward constructive dialogue, with cricket acting as a diplomatic bridge. Both India and Pakistan have packed cricket schedules in the coming months, but the Champions Trophy is being seen as an opportunity to rekindle sporting ties.

While the road ahead remains uncertain, these discussions mark a step forward in efforts to use cricket as a platform for improving diplomatic relations between the two neighbors.