NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of Sports has introduced a new sports policy concerning Pakistan, under which Indian teams will only play against Pakistan in international events.
According to the ministry, the policy takes immediate effect, meaning India will not participate in any bilateral sports competitions with Pakistan.
Indian teams will not travel to Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be allowed to play in India.
The only exception will be international or multi-nation tournaments.
Indian media quoted officials as saying that the national cricket team will not be stopped from competing in the Asia Cup since it is a multinational event.
The Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on September 9 in the United Arab Emirates, with a highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and India set for September 14.
It is noteworthy that India had earlier blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam incident and launched a unilateral military attack, which was strongly retaliated by Pakistan, forcing India to agree to a ceasefire.
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Relations between the two neighbors have since reached one of their most tense phases in history. India’s hostility became further evident when it used the Pahalgam incident as grounds to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
