“We Will Not…”: India Clarifies Stance On Sporting Ties With Pakistan Amid Asia Cup Clash
The Sports Ministry has made it clear that India will not engage in any bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, regardless of whether the matches are planned in either country or at a neutral venue. However, the government confirmed that the Indian cricket team will still participate in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, where it is scheduled to face Pakistan on September 14, since the tournament is a multilateral engagement.
Unveiling its new sports engagement policy, the ministry emphasized that Indian athletes will not travel to Pakistan for bilateral competitions, nor will Pakistani players be permitted to compete in India. A ministry source reiterated, “India and Pakistan cannot play bilateral matches, even if hosted in America. No bilaterals.”
At the same time, the government stressed that multilateral tournaments would not be disrupted, unless Pakistan is the official host. This means the Asia Cup-bound Indian cricket team will travel to the UAE from September 9, despite debates and criticism on social media.
The new stance comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people and triggered a military confrontation between the two nations earlier this year after India launched Operation Sindoor. The ministry underlined that India’s sports policy mirrors its broader diplomatic and security approach toward Pakistan.
Interestingly, while bilateral ties remain frozen, India granted visas to Pakistani hockey players for the Asia Cup in Bihar next month, as part of its commitment to the Olympic Charter’s spirit of inclusivity. This aligns with India’s aspirations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games.
The detailed policy uploaded on the ministry’s website also notes that Pakistan stands accused of supporting cross-border terror activities. Yet, for international and multilateral competitions, India will continue to allow participation of teams from Pakistan, guided by international sporting norms and the interest of Indian athletes.
To further strengthen India’s position as a global sports hub, the government announced a simplified multi-entry visa process for international sports officials, technical staff, and governing body representatives, valid for up to five years. Special courtesies will also be extended to heads of international sports federations during their visits.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
