Amid ongoing political tensions, a video which has gone viral shows a couple of Pakistani and Indian fans performing the traditional Punjabi Bhangra dance together following Pakistan’s victory over New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in England.
Pakistan and India fan dancing together after Pakistan’s win in Birmingham. #PakvNZ pic.twitter.com/EHuHW6gtCZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 26, 2019
The two were reportedly dancing inside the Edgbaston stadium premises in Warwickshire after Pakistan handed New Zealand their first defeat of the tournament to keep their campaign in the championship alive.
Pakistani cricketers had earlier faced severe trolling after being thrashed by India during the 16 June encounter in the world cup.
The widely circulated video is receiving praise from several quarters for promoting “peace” and “brotherhood” between people of the two arch-rival neighbouring countries.
Social media fans from both countries decided to keep the cricketing rivalries aside while stressing the importance of keeping a ‘man-to-man’ connection amidst political tensions.
This is what real people of India and Pakistan are, however, politicians do not replicate this. The Radcliffe line was drawn with no understanding of the history of the two nations, now violence in the name of nationalism runs as if that was history. @narendramodi @ImranKhanPTI
— Raji Kannan (@RajiIKannan) June 27, 2019
It's great to see people from both nations celebrate at Pakistan's victory.
— Ruqayya (@Ruqayya30667400) June 26, 2019
India loves Pakistan and I am sure when india will win against westindies this scene will repeat.😍
— vinit sanjeev (@vinit1sanjeev) June 26, 2019
A few fans also mentioned how the two countries are united by their similar Punjabi culture and were separated only because of the Britishers. Both India and Pakistan have a Punjab region dominated by Punjabi language and the residents enjoy performing Bhangra dances on festive occasions.
— Masood_74 (@masood_74) June 26, 2019
Again England make us one ☝️!!! Haha 😂
— Prince🇮🇳 (@IamNaser32) June 26, 2019
Earlier, an Indian fan was spotted cheering for Pakistan in the stadium after the South Africa game on 23 June.
#SpiritOfCricket 👏 #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/CKgnDEAWBF
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 23, 2019
Pakistan and India have not played a bilateral series with each other in the last five years. In 2017, the Indian cricket board – BCCI had mentioned that bilateral cricket ties between the two countries could only be revived after the Indian government gives the go ahead.
Political and cross border tensions between India and Pakistan have been soaring high of late. Since 2016, India has refused any initiative for bilateral talks, contending that cross-border terror has to stop before talks can begin.
Relations between the two South Asian countries touched a new low this year in February when 40 Indian soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. It led to the Indian Air Force launching an air strike on 26 February in retaliation.
The two nuclear-armed nations reached a near war-like state when Pakistan reportedly retaliated on the following day and brought down an Indian fighter jet.
