Despite ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Indian government has granted clearance for the Pakistan men’s hockey team to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup.
The men’s hockey Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, 2025.
A senior official from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports confirmed on Thursday that the decision to allow Pakistan’s participation in Hockey Asia Cup 2025 was taken after due consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“We are not against any team competing in a multinational competition in India. But bilateral (sports relations) is a different matter,” the ministry source stated. “International sports demand that we cannot back down from competition. Russia and Ukraine are at war, but they participate in multinational events.”
Why is the Pakistan team visiting India despite hostility
The official clarified that multinational tournaments are governed by the Olympic Charter, which emphasizes sport as a tool for promoting peace and international cooperation. Blocking Pakistan from participating, the source warned, could potentially invite sanctions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“We should not stop any team from competing in multi-nation tournaments. If we do, it may be seen as a violation of the Olympic Charter,” the source added.
Sports No Bar
In addition to the senior Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, Pakistan has also been cleared to compete in the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.
However, the decision has not yet been formally communicated to Hockey India (HI). Speaking to The Tribune, HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh said,
“We have only heard about the decision through mediapersons. We have not been officially informed about the Pakistan team’s participation in both the tournaments.”
The Hockey Asia Cup will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, making Pakistan’s participation crucial from a sporting standpoint.
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India-Pakistan Rivalry
The announcement comes against the backdrop of severely strained diplomatic relations between the two neighbours. The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which targeted civilians, and Operation Sindoor, an Indian counter-terrorism offensive, had led to concerns that geopolitical tensions could spill over into the sports arena.
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Despite those concerns, the Indian government has opted to uphold international sporting obligations, a move that will likely be viewed positively by the global sporting community.
