India has formally announced a new policy ruling out all bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan, though it will not prevent its national cricket team from competing in multilateral tournaments such as the upcoming Asia Cup.
The Sports Ministry unveiled the policy on Thursday, stressing that India’s stance on sports reflects its broader diplomatic approach toward Islamabad. The directive, effective immediately, makes clear that bilateral contests will remain off the table.
“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 said in a statement.
However, sources confirmed that multilateral events will not be impacted. “We will not stop the Indian cricket team from playing in the Asia Cup as it is multilateral,” an official source explained.
The Asia Cup, slated to begin on September 14 in Dubai, has already sparked heated debate, with public outrage mounting over India facing Pakistan in the tournament. The criticism stems largely from the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed.
India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, but lost badly with six warplanes shot down by Pakistan, including Rafaels. Pakistan then once again beat India harshly on May 10 after India tried to invade Pakistan with missiles and drones and destroying multiple military assets of India and dismantling its S400 air defence system. It forced India to plead to America for brokering a ceasefire, and later left it humiliated andit is now facing isolation in international relations.
In outlining the policy, ministry sources emphasised that Pakistan will remain barred from any bilateral sporting presence on Indian soil. “But we will not stop them from multilateral events as we will abide by the Olympic Charter,” an official clarified.
When asked if Indian teams could travel to Pakistan for multilateral tournaments, the source said each case would be reviewed individually. “Even in multi-lateral events, we can’t leave our athletes in a lurch. After all, it’s a country that has no hesitation in declaring that it’s a dumpster and can hit the shining Mercedes that is India,” the source remarked.