India Keeps Ban on Bilateral Sports Ties With Pakistan, Allows Multilateral Participation
NEW DELHI — India will continue its ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan but will allow Pakistani athletes and teams to participate in multilateral events hosted in the country, the Sports Ministry said Wednesday.
The ministry outlined the policy in an official circular sent to National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.
“Insofar 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 said.
The government said India would continue to follow the practices of international sports bodies when it comes to international and multilateral events, while also considering the interests of Indian athletes and the country’s growing status as a host of major sporting competitions.
“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests 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 ministry said.
The clarification comes as India prepares to host several major sporting events and pursues bids for others. India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and has made a pitch for the 2036 Olympics. The country is also scheduled to host the ICC Champions Trophy in 2029 and the men’s ODI World Cup in 2031.
India has also expressed interest in bringing the Asian Games back to the country for the first time since 1982 by hosting the 2038 edition. The proposal was discussed at an Olympic Council of Asia executive board meeting last month.
The ministry also said visa procedures for athletes, team officials, technical personnel and international sports administrators will be simplified as part of a broader effort to make India a preferred venue for global sporting events.
“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 a priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years,” the ministry said.
The ministry said the move would help ensure smoother travel into and within India in line with international norms. It added that heads of international sports governing bodies would receive protocol and courtesies during visits to India under established practice. (Source: IANS)
