No bilaterals with Pak, says government; green light for Asia Cup

India and Pakistan will not participate in any bilateral sporting events, but the Indian cricket team will be allowed to compete in the upcoming multi-nation Asia Cup, a source in the Sports Ministry confirmed on Thursday.

The Indian government has upheld a consistent policy of not engaging in bilateral sporting events with Pakistan. The Sports Ministry, on August 21, said Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan, nor will they host Pakistani teams in any bilateral series.

However, this restriction does not extend to multilateral tournaments, such as the World Cups and the Olympics, where both countries participate under the jurisdiction of international governing bodies. These tournaments are held in neutral or third-party venues, ensuring no direct bilateral arrangements and maintaining a politically neutral environment for competition.

A source in the ministry confirmed to India Today that India will not be barred from playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which is organised by the Asian Cricket Council. The Asia Cup will feature high-profile India-Pakistan matches scheduled for 14 and possibly 21 September in Dubai, with the final on 29 September. The tournament will follow the T20 International format ahead of next year's T20 World Cup.

India and Pakistan have not engaged in bilateral cricket since the 2012–13 season. Since then, the men’s and women’s teams of both countries have only faced each other in multi-nation tournaments and multi-sport events.

India had refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2023 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, citing security concerns. These tournaments were then held in neutral venues. More recently, Pakistan’s hockey team declined to travel to India for the Asia Cup Hockey, scheduled to begin on 28 September in Rajgir.

Several voices, including those of former cricketers, have urged the Indian men’s cricket team to boycott their Asia Cup match against Pakistan. These calls came in the wake of heightened tensions between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, most of them tourists. In its aftermath, India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border.

INDIA'S NEW POLICY

"India's approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country. Regarding bilateral sports events held in each other's countries, Indian teams will not participate in competitions in Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be permitted to play in India," the Sports Ministry said.

"However, with regard to international and multilateral events, whether held in India or abroad, India is guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of its own sportspersons. It is also relevant to consider India's emergence as a credible venue for hosting international sports events."

"Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that include teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.

VISA PROCESS TO BE SIMPLIFIED

The policy also highlights India's emergence as a credible venue for international sports and commits to simplifying visa procedures for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of international sports governing bodies.

"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. Specifically, office-bearers of these bodies will be granted multi-entry visas on a priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years," the Sports Ministry said.

"This will facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country, in accordance with international norms. Due protocol and courtesies, as per established practice, shall be extended to the Heads of International Sports Governing Bodies."