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09-05-2026
Bureau Report
NEW DELHI/ ISLAMABAD: Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in multilateral events hosted by India but bilateral events remain off the table, India’s sport ministry said on Wednesday.
India also said the visa process for sportspersons and officials will be simplified while office bearers of international sport governing bodies will be granted multi-entry visas.
“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 ministry said in a memorandum.
“It is also relevant to take into account India’s emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events.”
India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and they have also bid for the 2036 Olympics and the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad.
India and Pakistan engaged in a military conflict that nearly snowballed into a full-fledged war last year.
There has been a long freeze in bilateral cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have not played a full series since 2012-13 and now meet largely at neutral venues.
Although India were co-hosts of the T20 Cricket World Cup earlier this year, Pakistan played all their matches in Sri Lanka including a group game against India.
“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,” the ministry added.
Bilateral events remain excluded
The memorandum drew a clear distinction between multilateral tournaments and direct bilateral sporting engagements between India and Pakistan.
The statement comes as India prepares to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. The country has also submitted bids for the 2036 Olympics and the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad.
Sporting ties affected by wider tensions
Relations between the two countries have also been reflected in recent sporting arrangements. India and Pakistan were involved in a military conflict last year, and the downturn in ties has carried over into sports.
Although India served as co-hosts of the Twenty20 World Cup earlier this year, Pakistan played all of their matches in Sri Lanka, including the group-stage fixture against India. That arrangement was agreed after India declined to play the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
When the two sides met in the ICC Asia Cup last year, it was their first encounter since the military conflict in May 2025. According to the report, the Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistan’s players either at the toss or after the match.
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was also reported to have “politicized” India’s victory by referring to the Pahalgam attack in occupied Kashmir and describing the win as “a perfect gift” for his nation.
There has meanwhile been a prolonged halt in bilateral cricket between the two neighbors. They have not played a full series since 2012-13 and now mostly face each other at neutral venues.
Alongside that position, the ministry said visa procedures for athletes and officials would be eased, while office-bearers of international sports governing organizations would be issued multiple-entry visas.
