Jammu, Mar 29: Terming as “historic” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s invite to his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday said relations between the two countries have a direct bearing on the state.
He expressed the hope that the outcome of the match would not have any impact on Indo-Pak dialogue process and relations. “Our PM has taken a historic step by inviting Pak PM to Mohali (to watch Indo-Pak World cup semi-final cricket match tomorrow)”, Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a function to inaugurate Rs 7.15 crore water supply scheme for Jammu city.
“We hope that Jammu and Kashmir would benefit from the dialogue process which has been brought back to rails”, he said adding “I had repeatedly said that relation between India and Pakistan have a direct bearing on Jammu and Kashmir, unlike any other state of the country”.
Recalling that after the Mumbai terror attack had soured Indo-Pak relations, they were slowly improving and “I hope that in the days to come they will be further strengthened”.
“When relations between the two neighbours are cordial, Jammu and Kashmir gets the optimum benefit”, he said and expressed the hope that the resumption of talks between the two countries would move forward in smooth and conducive atmosphere.
The Chief Minister said the World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan teams has attained a political significance because of the visit of the Pak PM to watch the match.
Ruling out that victory or defeat of any team would impact Indo-Pak relations and the dialogue process, Omar said “one of the PMs will definitely be unhappy and sad for the defeat of his team but it would not affect the relations and the dialogue process at all”.
Referring to the outcome of the match, he said he prayed that at the end of the day “only our team should emerge victorious”.
Earlier in the morning, Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter: “Does anyone remember there is another semi final match today? Looking at the blanket coverage you’d think tomorrow is a one off match.”
Omar was referring to first semi-final match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST