The Indian government has allowed its teams to participate in multi-national tournaments involving Pakistan, but only within the country or at a neutral venue. The two teams will continue not to play each other in bilateral matches under the guidelines shared by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This means the Asia Cup fixture between the two sides, set to be played on September 14 in the UAE, will proceed as scheduled.
The guidelines largely formalize what the two countries have already tacitly practiced for more than a decade. The two teams have not played a bilateral game since a white-ball series in 2012-13 when India hosted Pakistan for three ODIs and as many T20Is.
Ahead of the Champions Trophy earlier this year, India and Pakistan agreed to arrange a neutral venue for the other team when one of them is the host. Pakistan staged India’s games in the UAE, and India are set to do the same for the Asia Cup. This hybrid model will be used to host all multilateral events from 2024-27.
The Indian ministry has also urged a simplification of visa processes for sportspersons, especially from Pakistan. Recently, even foreign players of Pakistani origin, such as Usman Khawaja and Shoaib Bashir, have faced delays in acquiring visas during their teams’ tours to 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’s statement said.
“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.
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.
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. In respect of office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi-entry visa shall be granted on priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years. This shall 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 during their visits to India.”
Political tensions between the countries are at an all-time high since the military skirmish of May this year. The two teams will meet for the first time since the standoff in the Asia Cup, where they could potentially face each other three times. Following the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan women’s team are due to meet for the Women’s ODI World Cup in October.
