US congratulates India, Pak for cricket diplomacy

New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) The US on Wednesday congratulated
India and Pakistan for progress made in the peace talks and
lauded the leadership of the two countries for initiating
"cricket diplomacy".
"We commend the leaders of both countries for carrying
forward with what the media is calling cricket diplomacy," US
Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said.
In a statement issued here, he also applauded the progress
made on a wide range of issues in the just-concluded Home
Secretary level talks.
Roemer wished Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his
Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani for success in their
endeavours.
This is Gilani's first visit to India after becoming Prime
Minister of Pakistan in March 2008. The two leaders had
earlier met in Sharm-el-Shaikh, Washington and most recently
last year in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit.
"India and Pakistan will take the talks forward at their
own pace, ability and character. Continued dialogue, combined
with cricket diplomacy, expanding people-to-people ties and
enthusiasm and optimism on both sides, offers promise of a
more prosperous and peaceful region," Roemer said.
Gilani is in Mohali, in the northern Indian state of
Punjab, to watch the cricket World Cup semi-final match
between India and Pakistan.
Singh had invited Gilani to watch the sporting event after
it became clear last week that India would take on Pakistan in
the semi-final.