Finance
A source in the Sports Ministry said on Thursday that while India and Pakistan will not be competing in any bilateral sporting events, the Indian cricket team will be permitted to play in the forthcoming multi-nation Asia Cup.
The Indian government has consistently maintained its stance against participating in bilateral athletic contests with Pakistan. Indian teams will not visit Pakistan or host Pakistani teams in any bilateral series, the Sports Ministry announced on August 21.
However, this restriction does not extend to multilateral tournaments, such as the World Cups and the Olympics, where both countries participate under the jurisdiction of international governing bodies. These tournaments are held in neutral or third-party venues, ensuring no direct bilateral arrangements and maintaining a politically neutral environment for competition.
India would not be prohibited from playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which is organized by the Asian Cricket Council, a ministry source told India Today. High-profile India-Pakistan matches are planned for September 14 and perhaps 21 in Dubai as part of the Asia Cup, with the final taking place on September 29. In preparation for the T20 World Cup the following year, the competition will use the T20 International format.
Since the 2012–13 season, India and Pakistan have not played cricket together. Since then, only multi-nation tournaments and multi-sport events have seen the men’s and women’s teams of both nations compete against one another.
India would not be prohibited from playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup, which is organized by the Asian Cricket Council, a ministry source told media. High-profile India-Pakistan matches are planned for September 14 and perhaps 21 in Dubai as part of the Asia Cup, with the final taking place on September 29. In preparation for the T20 World Cup the following year, the competition will use the T20 International format.
Since the 2012–13 season, India and Pakistan have not played cricket together. Since then, only multi-nation tournaments and multi-sport events have seen the men’s and women’s teams of both nations compete against one another.
INDIA’S NEW POLICY
India’s general strategy for dealing with Pakistan is reflected in how it handles sporting events involving that nation. In terms of bilateral sporting events that take place in each other’s nations, neither Indian nor Pakistani teams will be allowed to compete in India.
“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 Sports Ministry said.
Accordingly, 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,” it added.
VISA PROCESS TO BE SIMPLIFIED
The policy also pledges to streamline visa requirements for athletes, team officials, technical staff, and office-bearers of international sports governing bodies, highlighting India’s rise as a reliable location for international competition.
“To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified. Specifically, office-bearers of these bodies will be granted multi-entry visas on a priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years,” the Sports Ministry said.
“This will facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country, in accordance with international norms. Due protocol and courtesies, as per established practice, shall be extended to the Heads of International Sports Governing Bodies.”
Source: IT
