Overview
- The Sports Ministry issued an office memorandum Tuesday that keeps the ban on India–Pakistan bilateral sporting series in place.
- The memo also confirms that Pakistani athletes can compete in multilateral tournaments hosted in India and that Indian teams will play in international events that include Pakistan.
- Officials sent the directive to the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India and all national federations, citing global federation practices and athlete interests as the guide.
- India will simplify visas for athletes, team officials and technical staff, and will grant priority multi-entry visas for office-bearers of international sports bodies for up to five years, with standard protocol for visiting heads.
- The clarification responds to past visa delays and venue shifts after the 2025 Pahalgam attack and later tensions, and it supports India’s plans for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bids for the 2036 Olympics and 2038 Asian Games.