New delhi: India on Thursday banned any bilateral sporting clash with Pakistan, an official statement said. The country's Sports Ministry, in a policy statement, declared that India's approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country. The ministry emphasized that Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be permitted to play in India.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Sports Ministry clarified that Indian teams and individual players will continue to participate in international events that include teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India, referring specifically to international and multilateral events.

New Delhi's announcement of a formal sports policy concerning Pakistan follows months after the two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors engaged in cross-border missile firing, resulting in numerous casualties. Despite the tensions, the new policy means that India and Pakistan can still participate in the upcoming Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where other cricketing nations will also compete.

The new Indian policy is effective immediately, impacting future sports engagements. Political and military tensions have historically affected sports and other people-to-people ties between the two countries. Last year, India refused to play Champions Trophy cricket matches in Pakistan, leading to some matches being relocated to the UAE.