India Says No to Bilateral Ties, But Confirms Clash With Pakistan in Asia Cup 20 - Panaji

Clarifying its position on athletic contacts with Pakistan, the Indian government sharply differentiates between bilateral and multilateral meetings. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs reiterated in a statement released on August 20 that, while Pakistan will have no bilateral cricketing relations, India will continue to participate in international and multilateral events, such as the upcoming Asia Cup(Khelostar).
The ministry said that India's approach to sports mirrored its broader policy toward Pakistan. This means Indian teams won't go to Pakistan for bilateral events, nor will Pakistani teams be welcomed in India for such matches. India will fight to protect the interests of its players and supporters in international events like those sponsored by the ICC or ACC.
The statement also noted India's aim to become a worldwide sports hub, with a streamlined visa procedure for athletes, authorities, and foreign sporting organizations. For office bearers of worldwide federations, multi-entry visas will be given top priority to boost(Khelostar) India's reputation as a host nation.
Confirming that the team will meet Pakistan as part of the Asia Cup 2025, slated for the UAE, this clarification clears up conjecture about India's participation.