No chance of bilateral cricket with Pakistan, it has crossed 'Lakshman Rekha': Sports minister

India cannot consider playing a bilateral series with Pakistan as long as it supports terrorism and creates trouble in Kashmir, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Vijay Goel has said.

"For everything there is a Lakshman Rekha", said Goel, speaking to reporters in Beijing, where he is leading a 200-member youth delegation to China.

"We have clearly stated terrorism and sports cannot go side by side. As long as Pakistan does not stop cross-border terror and it creates trouble in Kashmir, there is no chance for a bilateral series, the national mood also does not support it."

"Every thing has a limit," Goel added. "When the line is crossed, there is a need to give a message. This is a message."

GOEL DECLINES TO DISCUSS GUHA'S LETTER 

On the current controversy in Indian cricket in the wake of a letter written by Ramachandra Guha, who tendered his resignation from the Supreme



Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, the sports minister said cricket is managed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and he would not comment.

He did, however, reiterate his wish for a sports code that would also include cricket.

Goel also said the government was keen to expand exchanges with China, particularly among youth.

The delegation of 200 young Indians he is leading is comprised of graduates and postgraduates from universities from around the country. They will visit Beijing, Hefei, Changsha, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

The delegation will interact with various sections of Chinese society with a focus on learning about education, culture, skills development, urban planning, and industry and agriculture in China.

They will also interact with Chinese university students, part of an annual two-way youth exchange programme between the two countries.