India has agreed to participate in the Asia Cup but maintains its stance of not playing any bilateral series with Pakistan.
On Thursday, August 21, the government announced that India will not pursue any bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan. However, a Sports Ministry source clarified that the Indian men’s cricket team will be allowed to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9.
India and Pakistan will not engage in any bilateral sporting events, but a Sports Ministry source confirmed on Thursday that the Indian cricket team will take part in the upcoming multi-nation Asia Cup.
Reiterating its longstanding stance, the Indian government on August 21 stated that national teams will neither travel to Pakistan nor host Pakistani teams for any bilateral series.
India had declined to travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, citing security concerns, leading to both tournaments being shifted to neutral venues. More recently, Pakistan’s hockey team pulled out of the Asia Cup Hockey, scheduled to begin on September 28 in Rajgir, India.
In the backdrop of rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack—which killed 26 people, most of them tourists—several former cricketers and public voices urged the Indian men’s cricket team to boycott their Asia Cup fixture against Pakistan. In response to the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror infrastructure across the border.
INDIA’S NEW POLICY
India’s stance on sporting ties with Pakistan is now aligned with its broader policy toward the country. For bilateral events, Indian teams will not play in Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be hosted in India.
On multilateral or international tournaments, however, India will follow the guidelines of global sports bodies while keeping the interests of its athletes in mind. The Sports Ministry emphasized that India’s growing reputation as a reliable host for major international sporting events is also an important factor in this approach.
VISA PROCESS TO BE EASED
India’s updated policy underlines its growing stature as a trusted hub for global sports and includes a commitment to easing visa norms for athletes, team officials, technical staff, and office-bearers of international sports federations.
“To strengthen India’s position as a preferred venue for major international tournaments, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical experts, and office-bearers of international sports bodies will be made more streamlined. In particular, office-bearers of these governing bodies will receive multi-entry visas on priority for the length of their official tenure, up to a maximum of five years,” the Sports Ministry stated.
“This step will ensure smooth entry and movement within the country, in line with global standards. As per established protocol, due courtesies will also be extended to the heads of international sports governing bodies.”
