Mohali:
The Pakistan vs India match was living upto the hype, with lots of tense moments.
But at the same stadium in Mohali, it was a relaxed sideshow of diplomacy that unfolded as the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan first watched the match, then talked, and then ate together.
A sumptuous dinner hosted by Dr Manmohan Singh at the Mohali stadium for Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Pakistani delegation included Gajar Ka Shorba and phirni. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar were at the dinner. Mrs Gandhi was seated between Pakistan's Interior Minister, Rehman Malik and Mr Gilani.
(Read: Gajar ka shorba, phirni served at PM's dinner)
After the dinner, India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said that Mr Gilani had invited Dr Singh to Pakistan. At the talks between the two leaders, she said, Dr Singh stressed the need for "an atmosphere free of violence" to rebuild the ties that snapped after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
Dr Singh told his guest, "We should put our ancient animosities behind to attend to the problems of our nations. We have the will to persevere, we have the will to overcome... we need permanent reconciliation to live together in dignity and honour".
Last week, Dr Singh invited Mr Gilani and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to watch the semi-final with him at Mohali. Ms Rao said the game provided the "setting, locale and impetus" for the meeting.
She also emphasized that India has once urged Pakistan to cooperate with the 26/11 investigations, and to enable India to collect more evidence against the terrorists who masterminded the attacks.
"We have said it is very important that evidence is scrutinised properly and those responsible are brought to justice. There should be a proper closure and that does not mean that we have set aside or brushed aside or put it under the carpet. Not at all," she said.