Qureshi and Armitraj talk tactics, AFP photo
This past Friday, the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan met in Italy to discuss terrorism and strained ties between the two nations. Reuters labeled the development “the second high-level bilateral talks since November’s Mumbai attacks.” Pakistan has been pushing for a resumption of peace talks with India since the attacks, and while state-to-state relations have long been the primary channel of diplomacy [hence the name Track I], citizen diplomacy, or people-to-people relations have also been instrumental in promoting goodwill and improving perceptions between the two nations.
These days, the trend is best exemplified by a Wimbledon doubles team made up of Pakistani player Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi and Indian Prakash Armitraj. Dawn, in an article entitled, “Indo-Pak Tennis Duo Defy Traditional Rivalry,” wrote, “The pair believe their tennis doubles partnership shows sport can transcend the boundaries between people — and say the warm response to their joining forces shows how the situation has shifted in recent years.” Armitraj, in an interview with the AFP, said,
You find a big international event like this, you find an Indian and a Pakistani playing together, and all differences — color, creed, everything — go out the window. You’re fighting for a common cause on the court and it’s a beautiful thing. The only thing you have to lean on is each other.
This is Qureshi’s second time partnering with an Indian player, [he previously played with Rohan Bopanna.] Pakistan’s number one ranked player told Reuters, “These guys are my best friends on the tour. We have the same taste and same culture and I love hanging out with them.” He asserted to the AFP, “…there has been so much going on between India and Pakistan politically but I never once thought of that when I’m playing with Prakash…I just hope I can send a positive message.”
In 2002, Qureshi teamed with Israeli player Amir Hadad during Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. Although the partnership was denounced by the Pakistani tennis federation, who threatened to ban him from the Davis Cup, the pair were awarded the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award for continuing to play together despite pressures from both communities. This time, Qureshi and his partner are facing less backlash, a sign that attitudes have shifted, he noted. He added, “People in Pakistan have been wishing me all the best…I’m glad they’re able to realize that sport is bigger than all the religions, colors, cultures.”
The Qureshi-Armitraj duo have moved on from Wimbledon’s second round to face the fourth seeds in the third round match on Monday [1200 GMT]. As Qureshi noted to reporters, “My goal is to promote tennis in Pakistan and the only way is to do well in the biggest tournaments in the world. I’m very pleased that he’s [Armitraj] the guy next to me.” His partner echoed, “You’re fighting for a common cause on the court and it’s a beautiful thing. The only thing you have to lean on is each other. A lot of people can benefit from that attitude.”
[...] "http://teabreak.pk/a-diplomacy-lesson-from-indo-pak-tennis-duo-42/22023/" }); Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan aisam ul haq, aisam ul haq qureshi, beautiful thing, bilateral talks, citizen diplomacy, [...]
This is my favorite post yet. It sets such a good example! I know that some of us have had the privelage to go abroad and meet Indians from around the world but there are many who have never left Pakistan who have a set image of Indians and aren’t willing to change it. Same goes for India – when Khuda keh liye was released in India last year, it was the first time they saw a Pakistani movie and were shocked to see that we are as developed as them and got a chance to see more of an insight into our morals, culture, and lifestyle in Pakistan. (I know this because I spoke to some of my colleagues and had seen a documentary where they interviewed a few people in South India on their feedback on the movie!) These tennis players set a great example in the sub continent and I hope more people learn about the fact that these two guys have come from India and Pakistan and are playing as a team.
OUH,
There was a documentary after the release of Khuda Kay Liye in India? I would have loved to have seen that!
“Sport is bigger than all the religions, colors, cultures.”
What a great line. When the Pakistan team won, it wasn’t only the Paki Muslims that were celebrating. It were the Christians and Hindus and Parsis and different sects; Shia, Sunni, Ahmedi, Aga Khani…all came together.
Spots really does transcend boundaries.
Yeah, I saw it on television on one of the Indian channels but maybe you can find it on youtube? Not sure. It was amazing to see so many Indians in village areas who appreciated the film. There were obviously many who didn’t like the film and weren’t too happy with the idea of a Pakistani moving being released in India as well. Some were just expressing how they didnt know that Pakistanis also lived in houses, drove cars, and how similar the two countries were …
Good post. Another good example of how sport is bringing )people together.
Boo.
Qureshi and Armitraj lost the match today and are out of Wimbledon. It was a really good game though, and a really great effort by the Indo-Pak duo, so congrats to them.
So this is what you were tweeting about all morning! I feel ashamed for not watching. This is a great story. It sets a great example for all of us to follow.
I wish I had known sooner! I would have definitely tried to catch them on tv. It’s a pity they are out – maybe I can catch the highlights on tv.
[...] at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan highlights the bond between the India-Pakistan Tennis duo Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi and Prakash Armitraj who are [...]
[...] blog CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan, Kalsoom sottolinea [in] il sodalizio della coppia Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi e Prakash Armitraj che gioca il doppio maschile [...]
great, what a breakthrough, shows us what individuals can do.
Now if only the “SIYASATDAAN’s” of both our nations could learn something from this. This is the call of the hour. You scratch my back, I scratch yours is the call of times. But alas, this is not going to happen. The Gora Babu will not let it happen. Ever. Neither would the Yellow Skin allow it.
The sooner both nations understand each others relevance to each others peaceful and never ending existence, the lesser the bloodshed in the region. Great one Kalsoom. I always love reading your blog. Thanks for such a lovely unbiased show.
good article buddy …………. if both country stop their time bickering and spilling venom on the other country ……………… imagine both the countries will grow immensely (both country has something to offer to other) ……….. it is like both neighbors fighting among themselves and the third party laughing at the situation and cashing in on by making money on the situation
hope this small initiative of yours will go a long way in creating a world power in asia rather than america or europe
Kalsoom,
I don’t know about the perception of Indians among the Pakistani people but I wouldn’t be surprised if it mirrored the Indian view. By & large, the negative image is found among the illiterate, ultra religious & the lower strata. Among educated & liberal Indians, there isn’t such an ignorant view as put out by DUH but I suppose he is aware of that. Then there is a difference in perception in the generation who knew Pakistan as it was pre Zia-ul-Haq & post that. The Pakistan of ’70s was far more lively & looked prosperous.
I remember how a lot of us used to prefer PTV over our own Doordarshan, the comedy serials were a rage in North & Western India. My own favourite was the redoubtable Omar Sharif (by the way, is he still performing?).
I’ve seen Khuda ke Liye & I found it to be intense & profound but it was what we call ‘multiplex movie’ like Shoot on Sight & A Wednesday. I doubt if it was released in towns & villages since it wouldn’t have drawn crowds. Fact is the Indian audience isn’t too hot about movies with a strong religion angle, whatever be the religion, which is why even Da Vinci code flopped here. Likewise I bet u can’t think about any Hindu religion based popular film, its no secular thing or so, just a preferance to see Masala, comedy,etc.
I was among the spectators in Chennai who gave a standing ovation to the victorious Pakistan cricket team & boy, was that a sight or what!!!!
Even the Pakistani players were bombed out of theirs minds on seeing 50K+ Indians giving them a prolonged standing ovation. And what about the sea of pretty faces in Gaddafi Stadium singing ‘Balaji dheere chalo’ when the lanky Indian pacer turned up.
All in all, not a huge amount of difference in tastes, behaviour, culture or lifestyle among the educated liberals in both the countries. May more such events happen. Amen!
sashi,
Thanks for your comment! I’ve been debating about Pakistan’s sentiment towards India as a whole for awhile. Ultimately, the right-wing is still pretty staunchly anti-India, and that sentiment may be more entrenched among our parents’ generation. However, the youth of Pakistan seems to have a more fresh perspective, but again, I don’t have stats at hand to use as a comparison so I don’t want to say for sure. But I do hope for more citizen exchanges between India and Pakistan in the future!
Hi Kalsoom,
Interesting, what u’ve opined. I do know that the overwhelming sentiment would be anti India but I must take ur view on the youths with more than a pinch of salt. If u had qualified that as conventionally educated youth, u would be right. I don’t think kids weaned on the hate India syllabus would grow up to look at India in any other light. The vast majority of the youth in both our countries are uneducated & jobless which is the sad truth. Most of the respondents in ur post are educated liberals, who I’m sure would like to move on. I had a father & 2 sons team from Karachi a short while back at my place on business. The boys & I had a freewheeling talk on various subjects, including some ‘taboo’ topics. I found them to be very much the kind u mention, very open & willing to move on.
Just y’day I read Mr. Irfan Husain’s column in Dawn on the Channel 4 segment & it was downright scary to read that Kasab was sold by his father to commit the Mumbai atrocities so that his sisters could be married off. Now, he’s a part of the Pakistani youth which would play havoc with any idea of normalising relations.
Still, its a matter of time before it’ll be clear to all that such hostility can only harm than help. Till then, let’s keep our collective fingers & toes crossed, what say u?
I agree with your assessment for the most part, but still think perspectives are changing among urban educated young Pakistanis – I know that’s a small constituency, but we’re a pretty vocal group.
Here’s a good related post by Faisal K. over at Deadpan Thoughts:
http://deadpanthoughts.com/?p=2104
[...] by Pakistan, India and China. And it’s one that looks increasingly ridiculous and antiquated. Several commentators noted Pakistani Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi and Indian Prakash Armitraj’s doubles team [...]
Well, Kalsoom, u heard that one about if wishes were horses. Much as the educated, urban youth of both countries may like to cement relations across the border, it looks a remote possibility. I don’t think its the people or the politicos who are the impediment, after all, Zardari did make the right noises on taking over as Prez. From our side, even a so called right wing Advani called the Qaid secular. Its the Pakistan army which would baulk at any fence mending. Their entire raison d’etre has been hostility to India & they have a irrational apprehension of losing relevance if people to people contacts burgeon.
Had the army been subservient to the civilian dispensation all thru the 60 yrs since independence, the matter wouldn’t be so complex but now …………..
Let’s hope the way the Pakistani people rammed home the message to Musharaf that he had to go is revived with the message that we want to be friends instead of estranged cousins.