India Maintains Bilateral Sports Ban with Pakistan

India's Sports Ministry on May 5 issued an office memorandum clarifying its policy on sporting ties with Pakistan, maintaining a ban on bilateral events while permitting Pakistani athletes and teams to participate in multilateral competitions hosted in the country.

The document, directed to national sports federations, the Indian Olympic Association, and the Sports Authority of India, states that Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan for competitions, nor will Pakistani teams be allowed to play in India. "In so far as bilateral sports events in each others country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India," the memorandum said.

For international and multilateral events, however, the policy follows the practices of global sports bodies and prioritizes Indian athletes' interests. Indian teams and players will compete in such events even if Pakistanis are involved, and Pakistani participants will be permitted in tournaments hosted by India. This approach aligns with India's goals to become a reliable host for major global events.

The ministry also announced simplified visa procedures for...