Despite recent escalations between India and Pakistan, the Indian government has given the green light for Pakistan’s national hockey team to participate in the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7. Government sources confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs had granted clearance. This decision comes as a surprise given the heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
Previous Visits by Pakistan’s Hockey Team to India
Historically, sporting exchanges between India and Pakistan have mirrored the geopolitical climate. Notably:
- After the Kargil War (1999): Pakistan’s hockey team visited India for the 2004 Champions Trophy in Lahore but had no direct bilateral hockey tours in the immediate aftermath.
- Post 26/11 (2008): Visits were paused, but the team returned for the 2010 Hockey World Cup in New Delhi.
- In 2014, Pakistan’s hockey team played in India during the Champions Trophy, though tensions flared due to their celebratory conduct.
- Most recently, in 2018, Pakistan participated in the Asian Champions Trophy held in Muscat, where both teams clashed.
The 2025 Asia Cup will mark one of their first sports entries into India after the recent military operations.
Cricketers Still Barred Amid Diplomatic Freeze
While hockey seems to be making a temporary diplomatic breakthrough, cricket remains locked in a cold war. The Indian government has consistently denied bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan. Pakistani cricketers were barred from playing in the IPL post-2008, and this year, Indian fans were not granted visas to attend the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan.
Sources say, “The BCCI is yet to approach the ministry regarding the Asia Cup cricket edition. That will be dealt with separately.”
The difference in treatment reflects India’s position that hockey, as a lower-profile sport, may be tolerated in a multilateral setting, but cricket, with its immense visibility, cannot risk legitimising Pakistan in the public domain amid unresolved terrorism concerns.
Operation Sindoor and Renewed Hostilities
In April, 26 civilians were killed in a brutal attack in Pahalgam, which was attributed to Pakistan-based terror outfits. The Indian government responded with Operation Sindoor a precision military operation targeting multiple terror bases across the border. The fallout included heightened diplomatic strain, drone surveillance escalation, and a blanket digital ban on over 18,000 Pakistani social media handles in India.
In this context, the decision to allow Pakistan’s hockey team entry for the Asia Cup is being viewed as a measured gesture to uphold India’s commitment to multinational sports protocols, even as bilateral ties remain frozen.
A Sporting Thaw or Diplomatic Tightrope?
The decision doesn’t reflect softening of India’s stance post-Operation Sindoor. Instead, it reiterates India’s strength—that it can isolate terrorism while engaging constructively where required. Whether this opens the door to broader sporting exchanges or remains an isolated gesture remains to be seen, but for now, the Rajgir Asia Cup will host one of the most politically sensitive teams in global sport.
