THE suspension of bilateral ties between Pakistan and India has now been officially extended beyond cricket to all sports. On Thursday, India’s sports ministry issued a new policy that ends bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, even on neutral venues. However, no stoppage has been announced for engagement at multilateral tournaments, paving the way for the much-anticipated Asia Cup cricket clash between the two rivals next month. The guidelines were sent out in a statement which said that athletes from Pakistan can participate in multilateral events in India, which has set its sights on becoming a sporting destination. India knows welcoming Pakistan is mandatory at such events as it hopes to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. The statement, though, did not mention whether Indian athletes would be allowed to take part in multilateral events hosted by Pakistan. As evident at the ICC Champions Trophy this year, this lack of clarity means that India may once again try to sabotage multilateral events in Pakistan. It has already made it clear on several previous occasions that it will not be sending its athletes to Pakistan on security grounds. The new policy indicates that its approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects India’s overall policy regarding the latter.

Pakistan’s justifiable tit-for-tat response, then, is not surprising. It made its stance clear by not sending the team for the Asia Cup hockey tournament in India citing security concerns. Last month, the Pakistan Sports Board asked sports federations in the country to seek approval before participating in sporting events held in India. Pakistan had for long advocated against mixing sports with politics, even taking the first step multiple times in this direction. Sadly, India has done the opposite. The onus is on global sports bodies to break the deadlock. But they must also ensure that this time it is India that takes the first step to break the impasse.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025