The Government of India has formally unveiled a new dual-track sports policy regarding Pakistan, drawing a clear distinction between bilateral sporting ties and participation in international multilateral competitions. The policy, issued through an Office Memorandum by the Sports Ministry on May 5, states that India will continue to prohibit bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan while simultaneously allowing Pakistani athletes and teams to compete in global events hosted on Indian soil.
The move comes a year after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, and is being viewed as a major policy clarification balancing geopolitical tensions with India’s ambitions to emerge as a leading global sporting destination.
Under the newly formalised framework, Indian teams will not participate in bilateral competitions hosted in Pakistan, and Pakistani teams will similarly not be permitted to play bilateral series in India. However, the government has made it clear that international and multilateral events will remain exempt from these restrictions in line with international sporting norms and India’s obligations as a host nation.
The Sports Ministry memorandum stated: “In 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.”
At the same time, the policy explicitly clarified that India would fully comply with international sporting regulations regarding multilateral competitions. “Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the memorandum added.
The policy effectively ensures that Pakistani athletes can continue participating in international tournaments hosted in India, including cricket world events, hockey competitions and multi-sport championships governed by international federations.
India Balances Geopolitical Concerns With Global Sporting Ambitions
The government’s decision reflects India’s attempt to balance national security concerns and diplomatic realities with the practical requirements of hosting major international sporting events. Officials indicated that the approach aligns with India’s broader policy framework toward Pakistan while also safeguarding the interests of Indian athletes and maintaining compliance with international sporting obligations.
The memorandum specifically noted that India’s policy toward sporting relations with Pakistan mirrors its overall diplomatic approach toward the neighbouring country. However, it also acknowledged the importance of maintaining India’s credibility as a host for global sporting competitions.
The Sports Ministry stated: “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. It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events.”
The timing of the announcement is particularly significant because India is aggressively positioning itself as a global sports hub over the next decade. The country is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and has submitted bids for the 2036 Summer Olympics and the 2038 Asian Games.
Officials from the Olympic Council of Asia are also expected to visit Ahmedabad soon to evaluate India’s infrastructure and preparedness for future international events.
Additionally, India is set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2029 and the Cricket World Cup 2031, events that would require participation from all ICC member nations including Pakistan.
Sports analysts believe the formal policy clarification was necessary to remove ambiguity surrounding Pakistan’s participation in international tournaments hosted by India, particularly after repeated controversies over visa approvals and bilateral sporting interactions in recent years.
Bilateral Sporting Relations Remain Frozen After Pahalgam Attack
Sporting ties between India and Pakistan have remained severely strained since the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor. Public and political opposition intensified after Indian and Pakistani teams faced each other in international tournaments including the 2025 Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.
The Indian government had also faced criticism domestically for issuing visas to Pakistani hockey teams participating in tournaments held in Bihar and Chennai during 2025.
The new memorandum effectively institutionalises what had previously been handled on a case-by-case basis. Until now, decisions regarding Pakistani participation in sporting events hosted in India often depended on political sensitivities, security assessments and diplomatic negotiations.
The policy now formally establishes that bilateral cricket series, hockey tours or other direct sporting engagements between the two countries will remain suspended. However, international competitions involving multiple nations will continue under existing global sporting regulations.
This means Indian and Pakistani athletes will continue to compete against each other in events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, World Cups and international federation tournaments.
In the coming months alone, athletes from both countries are expected to face each other in several major competitions. India and Pakistan are likely to compete during the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games later this year, while their hockey teams are scheduled to meet multiple times during the FIH Pro League and the Hockey World Cup.
Government Promises Easier Visa Regime for International Sporting Events
One of the most important aspects of the new policy concerns visa facilitation for athletes, officials and representatives associated with international sporting bodies.
The memorandum stated that India would simplify the visa process for “sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies” in order to support smooth hosting of global competitions.
Officials of international sports federations will reportedly receive priority-based multi-entry visas valid for up to five years during their official tenure, subject to regulations.
The government explained that the streamlined visa system aims to ensure “smooth movement” in accordance with international sporting norms.
The move appears designed to address recurring criticism faced by India from international sports federations over delays or uncertainty in granting visas to Pakistani or Pakistan-origin participants during previous tournaments.
In recent years, visa-related controversies occasionally triggered scrutiny from international governing bodies, raising concerns regarding India’s obligations as a host country for global events.
By explicitly guaranteeing participation rights for athletes in multilateral events, the government is attempting to reassure international federations that India will honour global sporting commitments regardless of bilateral diplomatic tensions.
Policy Signals India’s Long-Term Sporting Strategy
Sports experts believe the formalisation of this dual-track policy marks an important strategic shift in India’s sports diplomacy. Rather than relying on ad hoc decisions, the government has now established a predictable framework balancing political sensitivities with international sporting obligations.
The policy is also expected to strengthen India’s case as a reliable host for future mega sporting events including the Olympics and Asian Games, where universal participation principles are strictly enforced by international federations and the International Olympic Committee.
Analysts note that excluding athletes from multilateral events on political grounds could have jeopardised India’s ambitions to host future international competitions. The new policy therefore reflects both diplomatic caution and practical necessity.
The memorandum further highlights India’s growing confidence in using sports as part of its broader global positioning strategy. Over the past decade, the country has invested heavily in sports infrastructure, international event hosting and sports governance reforms.
At the same time, the continued ban on bilateral sporting ties underscores that political and security concerns surrounding Pakistan remain unresolved despite the policy’s openness toward international events.
The government’s approach indicates that while direct sporting normalisation between India and Pakistan remains off the table, New Delhi is unwilling to compromise its larger global sporting ambitions because of bilateral tensions.
As India prepares to host some of the world’s biggest sporting events in the coming decade, the newly announced framework is likely to play a central role in shaping future India-Pakistan sporting interactions on international platforms.
