By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: India’s sports ministry announced Thursday a new policy banning bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, including events at neutral venues, but confirmed the Indian cricket team would participate in next month’s Asia Cup, a multilateral tournament, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
The announcement paved the way for high-stakes cricket clashes at the upcoming Asia Cup and women’s ODI World Cup. The decision comes less than three weeks before the men’s Asia Cup, set to begin in the UAE, where India and Pakistan are scheduled to face off at least once on September 14 in Dubai, with the potential for up to three meetings.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports issued a statement outlining its stance on sporting ties with Pakistan, amid strained political relations between the two South Asian neighbors.
The statement also ensures Pakistan’s participation in multilateral events hosted by India, including the women’s ODI World Cup in October.
“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India,” the ministry stated, formalizing a policy that has governed cricketing relations for over a decade.
The announcement clarifies India’s position at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by the April attack in occupied Kashmir, which led to cross-border hostilities.
The decision, effective immediately, bars Indian athletes from traveling to Pakistan and prohibits Pakistani sportspersons from competing in India for bilateral events. The move reflects long-standing political tensions between the two neighbors, which have frequently disrupted sporting engagements.
“In that scenario, we will examine the case before deciding anything,” a senior ministry source told PTI when asked about Indian teams participating in multilateral competitions in Pakistan.
The policy underscores India’s broader stance on dealings with Pakistan, stating, “India’s approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country.” It added that decisions regarding international and multilateral events, whether hosted in India or abroad, would be guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of Indian athletes.
The ministry also highlighted India’s growing stature as a host for international sporting events, noting, “It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events.”
Under the new policy, Indian teams and individual athletes will be permitted to compete in multilateral events that include Pakistani participation. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to take part in such events hosted by India.
The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of India-Pakistan sporting ties. Last month, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) directed its national sports federations to seek prior consultation and approval before participating in events held in India, citing “security concerns.”
The two nations have a history of suspending bilateral sporting events due to political frictions, often resorting to a hybrid model where matches are played at neutral venues. The upcoming T20 Asia Cup, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, will see India and Pakistan face off in a highly anticipated clash, unaffected by the new policy due to its multilateral nature.
In July, a cricket match between the two countries was canceled after Indian players refused to compete against Pakistan, citing “geopolitical tensions,” PTI reported.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012, but they have met regularly in global and regional tournaments, including the ODI and T20 World Cups, the Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup. Pakistan participated in the 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, while India opted for a hybrid model for the 2025 Champions Trophy, playing their matches, including the semi-final and final, in Dubai.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have agreed to continue this hybrid model for all ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle, ensuring neutral venues for their encounters. The ministry’s statement reinforces this arrangement, balancing India’s commitment to international sports with its firm stance against bilateral engagements with Pakistan.
The absence of bilateral sporting ties is likely to further limit direct competition between the two nations, with multilateral tournaments remaining the primary avenue for India-Pakistan sporting encounters.
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