India’s new sports policy clears way for Pak-India clash in Asia Cup

ISLAMABAD: The Indian government has formally clarified its stance on sporting ties with Pakistan, announcing that while bilateral series remain off the table, both countries will face each other in multilateral tournaments such as the Asia Cup.

According to the new guidelines issued by the Indian sports ministry on Thursday, India will not allow its teams to tour Pakistan, nor will it host bilateral fixtures with Pakistani teams on home soil.

However, New Delhi said it will abide by international sporting norms in the case of multilateral events.

"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": Ministry of Youth and Affairs, Govt of India pic.twitter.com/s1P0b1AbTT

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2025

“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,” the policy stated.

India sports ministry said the decision ensures India’s participation in prestigious events while also positioning the country as a credible global host for international competitions.

To this end, the ministry announced that visa procedures for players, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of international sports bodies will be simplified.

It added that multi-entry visas will be issued on a priority basis for office-bearers for up to five years, with full protocol extended to heads of sports governing organisations during their visits to India.

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BCCI under fire

The move effectively clears the way for Pakistan and India to face each other in the Asia Cup and other multilateral competitions, even as bilateral cricket and other sports remain suspended amid strained ties.

However, the new sports policy has drawn harsh criticism from staunch supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with many describing it as ‘treason’.

Blood and Water cannot flow together, but for @BCCI blood and revenue can flow together.

I have written to Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, asking for the Union Government’s intervention in BCCI shameful act of sending a team that will play cricket with pakistan.

The… pic.twitter.com/PysIuPtmJL

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 20, 2025

Lambasting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), they question the decision of playing Pakistan especially when India had made splendid efforts to isolate Pakistan in the international world.

Pak-India sports standoff

The relations between the two cricket-mad nations have always remained tense. However, they got worse after the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

Before this particular incident, India refused to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. After a rounds of negotiations, both countries had agreed on a hybrid model, deciding that Champions Trophy to progress with the original eight teams, with India’s matches taking place in Dubai.

Under this formula, it was agreed that neither of the countries will visit each other for any cricket event but will face each other on neutral grounds.

However, months after this agreement, India refused to face Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legend (WCL), marking the beginning of a new era of tense sports relations.