India Allows Pakistani Athletes to Participate in Multinational Sporting Events

Islamabad (Qudrat Daily) — India has announced that it will allow athletes from Pakistan to participate in multinational sporting events hosted in the country, as New Delhi aims to establish itself as a global hub for sports.
According to a document issued by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan — including cricket — will remain suspended. However, participation in multilateral competitions will continue in line with international sporting policies.
The development comes amid longstanding tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have not played a bilateral cricket series for over a decade. Athletes from both sides currently compete only in international or regional tournaments.
India is preparing to host major global sporting events, including a bid for the Commonwealth Games in 2030, as well as pursuing hosting rights for the Olympic Games in 2036 and the Asian Games in 2038, in an effort to strengthen its reputation as an emerging sports power.
The ministry stated that Indian teams and individual athletes will continue to participate in international events where Pakistani athletes are present, in accordance with global governing bodies, as it serves the interests of sports and athletes.
The document also noted that visa procedures for Pakistani athletes, officials, and media representatives will be eased to facilitate smoother participation.
In recent years, India has faced criticism from international sports organizations over delays in issuing visas to Pakistani participants, and this move is seen as an effort to address those concerns.