India says it will not lift its ban on bilateral sporting events with Pakistan but allow athletes to compete with rivals from the neighbouring country at international tournaments.
In a memo issued on Tuesday, the sports ministry said Pakistani athletes would be allowed to take part in multilateral events hosted by India. Athletes, officials, and representatives of international sports federations from the neighbouring country would be afforded a more supportive visa regime as well.
The simplified visa process, it said, “shall facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country, in accordance with international norms”.
The memo, however, reiterated a hardline position on direct sporting engagement. “In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned,” it declared, “Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India.”
“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.”
The clarification means Indian athletes will continue competing in international events featuring Pakistan and Pakistani sportspersons will be allowed to participate in events organised in India by international sports bodies.
Sporting ties between India and Pakistan have long mirrored their fraught political relationship, with animosity intensifying following the four-day conflict in May 2025 that left hundreds of people dead. The conflict, marked by artillery exchanges, drone attacks and air strikes, was one of the most serious military confrontations between the nuclear-armed neighbours in recent years.
The ensuing tensions caused public outrage when the Indian cricket team played Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup and later the T20 World Cup.
The Indian government was also criticised for granting visas to Pakistan’s hockey team for the Asia Cup last August. Pakistan did not issue clearance to its women footballers to play in the South Asian tournament SAFF as it was hosted by India.
Amid the tensions, last-minute visa delays, late clearances, and political signalling have affected Pakistani and Indian athletes across sports alike.
This has led to significant pressure on bodies like the International Cricket Council to adjust venues, logistics, and security protocols.
The memo seeks to avoid ambiguity and confusion as India aspires to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympic Games, among other sporting events.
