Pakistani sportspersons will be able to participate in multilateral events in India, but will not be allowed to take part in bilateral tournaments held in the country, stated the Union government on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in an office memorandum: “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.”
However, the government said that during international and multilateral events, the country’s policy would be guided “by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons”. It was relevant to take into account “India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events”, read the memorandum.
The sports ministry also said that the visa process of sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies will be simplified. Officials from internal sports governing bodies will be given multi-entry visas for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years.
The statement comes as India prepares to host several international sporting events in the next few years. The country is slated to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and has pitched itself as a venue for the 2036 Olympics and 2038 Asian Games.
Officials from the Olympic Council of Asia are expected to visit Ahmedabad soon to make an assessment on India’s bid, The Indian Express reported.
India is also slated to host the cricket Champions Trophy in 2029 and the 50-over World Cup in 2031.
Sporting ties between India and Pakistan have been strained in the past few years, and have in particular been a point of controversy after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack.
While India was initially scheduled to host the 2025 cricket Asia Cup, the tournament was moved to the United Arab Emirates due to tensions between the two countries. The final match of the tournament, played between India and Pakistan on September 28, had also led to criticism on social media.
The Union government had also faced criticism for giving visas to Pakistan’s hockey team for the Asia Cup in Bihar in August and the Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai in December.
You’ve read Scroll.
Now help sustain it
Scroll is funded by readers, not corporate owners. If you believe our work matters, support our newsroom. Become a member today!
We’re not driven by clicks or corporate interests – just honest, independent reporting. Keep us going. Support Scroll today!