Zia visits for talks, cricket

Press, 23 February 1987, Page 10

Zia visits for talks, cricket

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi Pakistan’s President, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who is in India for socalled “cricket diplomacy,” met the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi today before. flying to Jaipur to see his country play India at cricket. Officials told reporters talks between the two leaders brief were aimed at normalising relations between India and Pakistan.

The two countries, which have fought three wars since they became independent from Britain in 1947, appeared to be on the brink of fighting again last month. The crisis was averted by diplomatic contacts as well as the cricket test series. General Zia expressed a wish to watch India and Pakistan play

and was promptly invited by India’s Cricket Board.

Officials said the two leaders discussed prospects of increasing trade as well as cultural contacts but gave no details.

General Zia was seen off by Mr Gandhi and his wife, Sonia, as he took off for the “Pink City” of Jaipur in the west in a special Indian Air Force plane.

Last month, the Indian Air Force was on full alert as each country accused the other of massing troops on their borders. Both sides denied hostile intentions. General Zia’s visit has been described as a private cricket tour and Indian officials have sought to play down expectations of a big breakthrough in bilateral relations which at best of times are uneasy.