India keeps Pakistan sports ban for bilateral ties, clears multi-nation events
India has kept its ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan while allowing participation in multilateral events. The policy aligns with international sporting norms as India pushes to host major global competitions.
India’s ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan will continue, the Sports Ministry confirmed on Wednesday, while also making it clear that Pakistani athletes will still be allowed to compete in multi-nation events hosted in India. The clarification came through an official circular issued to National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India.
The ministry also reiterated that India will continue to follow the Olympic Charter and international sporting guidelines as the country pushes to host major global events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. In the circular, the ministry stated that bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain off the table, but multilateral tournaments will continue under international norms.
“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.
“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons.
“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.”
The policy was first announced in August last year after criticism over India’s participation in cricket’s Asia Cup in the UAE, which also featured Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
At that stage too, the ministry had clarified that it would not interfere with multilateral sporting events unless Pakistan itself was the host nation.
NO BILATERAL SPORTS WITH PAKISTAN?
The latest circular effectively keeps India’s existing sporting policy with Pakistan unchanged.
That means there will be no bilateral cricket, hockey or other sporting series between the two countries in either India or Pakistan for the foreseeable future.
The ministry’s communication was sent to all major sporting bodies, including the IOA, SAI and national federations, to formally reiterate the government’s position.
The decision also comes at a time when India is actively trying to strengthen its position as a host for major international events across multiple sports.
CAN PAKISTANI ATHLETES TRAVEL TO INDIA?
While bilateral ties remain frozen, India has made it clear that it will continue to honour international sporting commitments for global and continental tournaments.
That means Indian athletes will compete in international events featuring Pakistan, while Pakistani athletes will also be permitted to travel to India for multi-nation competitions hosted here.
The ministry also stressed that visa procedures for athletes, technical staff and international sports officials will be simplified to make India a more attractive destination for global sporting events.
“To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified,” the ministry said.
“In respect of office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi-entry visa shall be granted on priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years.”
The ministry also added that international sports administrators visiting India would continue to receive protocol support and official courtesies during their stay.
India’s ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan will continue, the Sports Ministry confirmed on Wednesday, while also making it clear that Pakistani athletes will still be allowed to compete in multi-nation events hosted in India. The clarification came through an official circular issued to National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India.
The ministry also reiterated that India will continue to follow the Olympic Charter and international sporting guidelines as the country pushes to host major global events like the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. In the circular, the ministry stated that bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain off the table, but multilateral tournaments will continue under international norms.
“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.
“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons.
“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.”
The policy was first announced in August last year after criticism over India’s participation in cricket’s Asia Cup in the UAE, which also featured Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
At that stage too, the ministry had clarified that it would not interfere with multilateral sporting events unless Pakistan itself was the host nation.
NO BILATERAL SPORTS WITH PAKISTAN?
The latest circular effectively keeps India’s existing sporting policy with Pakistan unchanged.
That means there will be no bilateral cricket, hockey or other sporting series between the two countries in either India or Pakistan for the foreseeable future.
The ministry’s communication was sent to all major sporting bodies, including the IOA, SAI and national federations, to formally reiterate the government’s position.
The decision also comes at a time when India is actively trying to strengthen its position as a host for major international events across multiple sports.
CAN PAKISTANI ATHLETES TRAVEL TO INDIA?
While bilateral ties remain frozen, India has made it clear that it will continue to honour international sporting commitments for global and continental tournaments.
That means Indian athletes will compete in international events featuring Pakistan, while Pakistani athletes will also be permitted to travel to India for multi-nation competitions hosted here.
The ministry also stressed that visa procedures for athletes, technical staff and international sports officials will be simplified to make India a more attractive destination for global sporting events.
“To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified,” the ministry said.
“In respect of office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi-entry visa shall be granted on priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years.”
The ministry also added that international sports administrators visiting India would continue to receive protocol support and official courtesies during their stay.
