Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to participate in multilateral sporting events hosted by India, but bilateral sporting engagements will remain off the table, according to India\u2019s sports ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry further stated that visa procedures for sportspersons and officials will be simplified, while office bearers of international sports governing bodies will be granted multi-entry visas to facilitate smoother participation in global sporting activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding international and multilateral competitions held in India or abroad, the ministry said decisions will be guided by the rules and practices of international sports bodies as well as the interests of Indian athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It also highlighted India\u2019s growing status as a credible destination for hosting major international sporting events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India is preparing to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and has also submitted bids for the 2036 Olympic Games and the 2038 Asian Games, which it proposes to stage in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement comes in the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following a military conflict last year that nearly escalated into a full-scale war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bilateral sporting ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have remained suspended for years, with no full cricket series played since the 2012\u201313 season. The two sides now mostly face each other only in multinational tournaments at neutral venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even during India\u2019s co-hosting of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Pakistan played all its matches in Sri Lanka, including a group-stage fixture against India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry further clarified that Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan for bilateral competitions, nor will Pakistani teams be permitted to compete in bilateral events in India.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to participate in multilateral sporting events hosted by India, but bilateral sporting engagements will remain off the table, according to India\u2019s sports ministry.… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3837,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[19,35,47],"class_list":["post-3836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-india","tag-pakistan","tag-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n