New Delhi, May 7: Settling the question over sporting ties with Pakistan, India has codified its policy vis-à-vis the neighbouring country, reaffirming a strict prohibition on bilateral series while adopting a path of participation in international competitions.
The Policy Document of the Ministry of Sports provides for a comprehensive ban on bilateral sporting ties which has been in place for some time now.
At the same time, policy lays down that Pakistani competitors will be permitted to enter India for multi-national events. This is to ensure fulfillment of its responsibilities as a host for major international championships.
“With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan,” the document says.
“Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” it adds.
But, “In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India,” the document says.
It may be noted that India has been refusing to have any sporting relations with Pakistan because of the latter’s use of terrorism against this country.
India has made it clear that terrorism and sports cannot go together. It has been underlining that Pakistan must shun cross-border terrorism to facilitate restoration of sports ties.
This was hardened in the aftermath of ghastly attack by three Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam in Kashmir on April 22 last year, which prompted India to launch ‘Operation Sindoor’ to hit main terror bases in Pakistan on this day last year.
As part of this policy, India refuse to send its team to Pakistan when it hosted the T20 World Cup Cricket earlier this year.
As a result, the India matches to be held in Pakistan were shifted to Sri Lanka, including the one with Pakistan.
Importance of the policy:
Laying down of the policy assumes more significance as India aspires to become a premier global sports hub and is preparing to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics.
As part of this policy, the government of India is moving to simplify visa requirements for athletes, coaching staff, technical officials, and representatives from international federations.
“To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified. In respect of office bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi entry visa shall be granted on priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years. Due protocol and courtesies, as per established practice, shall be extended to the Heads of International Sports Governing Bodies during their visits to India,” the ministry document added.
