Pakistani athletes can also participate in multilateral events hosted by India.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports outlined these guidelines in a statement clarifying the Indian government’s position on sports relations with Pakistan at a time of tense political relations between the two South Asian countries. The statement left one question unanswered: whether Indian athletes can take part in multilateral events hosted by Pakistan.
The announcement comes less than three weeks after the Asian Cup is scheduled to begin in the UAE, where India and Pakistan, playing in the same group, are expected to meet at least once (September 14 in Dubai) and potentially up to three times. This will be India’s first cricket match against Pakistan since the two countries exchanged cross-border hostilities following the Pahalgam terror attack in April.
With the Indian government making its position clear, India now has official sanction to play Pakistan in the Asian Cup, which was originally to be hosted by India before being moved to the UAE in July.
“As far as bilateral sporting events in each other’s countries are concerned, Indian teams will not compete in Pakistan. We will also not allow Pakistani teams to play in India,” the ministry said in a statement.
“For international and multilateral events, whether in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports organizations and the interests of our own athletes. It is also important to take into account India’s emergence as a reliable destination for international sporting events.
“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events in which teams or players from Pakistan also participate. Likewise, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.
“To position India as a preferred destination for international sporting events, the visa process for athletes, team officials, technical staff and officials of international sports governing bodies must be simplified. For officials of international sports governing bodies, a multiple-entry visa must be issued as a priority for the duration of their official tenure, but not more than five years. This should facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country in accordance with international standards. Due protocol and in accordance with established practice, courtesies should be accorded to the heads of international sports governing bodies during their visits to India.”
The statement lays out in no uncertain terms the Indian government’s unwritten rules for dealing with Pakistan in cricket for over a decade. Both the countries have not met in a bilateral series in any format since 2012, but they have faced each other on multiple occasions in the ODI and T20 World Cups, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.