By IPA Webdesk
India will not impose restrictions on Pakistan鈥檚 sports teams participating in multi鈥憂ations tournaments on Indian soil, a sports ministry spokesperson confirmed on Thursday. The decision follows the mid鈥慉pril Pahalgam attack that killed 26 Indian tourists and India鈥檚 subsequent military retaliation under Operation Sindoor. Despite diplomatic tensions, officials emphasised that ensuring Pakistan鈥檚 participation aligns with Olympic Charter provisions and preserves India鈥檚 image as a future global sporting host.
The move grants approval to Pakistan鈥檚 hockey teams for the Men鈥檚 Asia Cup in Rajgir and the Junior Hockey World Cup in Chennai and Madurai. The Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs have also initiated visa issuance for Pakistani athletes.
A sports ministry source stated that barring Pakistan would violate the Olympic Charter鈥檚 inclusivity rule and could jeopardise India鈥檚 ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games. 鈥淚t wouldn鈥檛 be fair or in line with international sports norms,鈥 the source added, drawing parallels with Russia and Ukraine鈥檚 simultaneous participation despite conflict.
Hockey India welcomed the decision, pledging to abide by government directions. In contrast, Pakistan鈥檚 side awaits its own internal clearance. Officials from the Pakistan Sports Board and Pakistan Hockey Federation have indicated that final go鈥慳head depends on approval from their ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Playing out in multi鈥憂ation events avoids bilateral matches鈥擨ndia and Pakistan have not engaged in such series since 2008. In cricket, the current model mandates neutral venues for India鈥慞akistan matches during ICC competitions, as agreed in December 2024 and applied in the men鈥檚 Champions Trophy and women鈥檚 ODI World Cup.
Economic and diplomatic observers warn that blurring the lines between political and sporting domains can offer limited respite. India鈥檚 suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading of diplomatic ties and closure of Pakistani airspace followed the Pahalgam atrocity; similarly, Operation Sindoor saw retaliatory strikes deep into Pakistan and its administered-Kashmir region on May 7, triggering airspace and border disruptions.
Cross-border hostilities did ease after a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10. Nevertheless, national security campaigns, including a large-scale civil defence drill named 鈥淥peration Abhyaas鈥 on May 7, signalled preparedness in 244 districts. Despite this shadow, sports officials maintain events should proceed.
The sports ministry also stated that India鈥檚 teams abroad will adhere to the same principle by attending multi鈥憂ation events that include Pakistan鈥攖hough bilateral engagements remain non鈥慹xistent.
While Pakistan鈥檚 national hockey contingent moves toward participation, Pakistan鈥檚 women鈥檚 cricket team has already ruled out travelling to India for the 2025 Women鈥檚 World Cup in October, opting instead for a hybrid model with matches at neutral venues.
The decision serves a dual purpose: upholding India鈥檚 international sporting commitments and mitigating political backlash that may arise from excluding Pakistan. Analysts note that had the decision gone the other way, India risked censure from the International Olympic Committee and damage to its Olympic Games hosting bid.
India鈥檚 stance effectively separates politics and sport at the multilateral level, reflecting a strategy of engagement through rules鈥慴ased, international frameworks鈥攚hile continuing to resist bilateral ties without formal conflict-resolution mechanisms.