MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the statement in response to a question during his media briefing regarding reports on India’s participation in the regional multi-sport event.
“Your second question about the news about India's participation in SAF Games. India's participation in any international tournament or a multilateral championship is guided by the recent policy that has been announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
“And that policy is there in public domain, so please have a look at that. There we are guided by what directions or what the international bodies, sports bodies have to say on such matters, as also the interest of our sports people,” Jaiswal said.
Pakistan will host the SAF Games from April 3 to 11 next year across Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. The South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) approved the dates and venues for the regional multi-sport event at a recent meeting in Islamabad, according to the Olympics website.
The question over India’s participation comes against the backdrop of the government’s latest clarification on sporting ties with Pakistan.
The Sports Ministry recently reiterated that India will not participate in bilateral sporting events in Pakistan and will not allow Pakistani teams to compete in bilateral events in India. However, it also made clear that the policy does not extend to multilateral competitions involving athletes or teams from both countries.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports website carries a file titled “Indian Policy Towards International Sporting Events”.
“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. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events,” the policy states.
“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” it says.
The policy was first announced last year after criticism over India’s participation in cricket’s Asia Cup in the UAE, which also featured Pakistan, following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
At the time, the Sports Ministry clarified that India would continue to participate in multilateral sporting events involving Pakistan while maintaining its position against bilateral sporting ties.
The latest clarification has formally reiterated that position, with the ministry communicating the policy to National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India.
Under the policy, Indian athletes can compete in international multi-nation events featuring Pakistan, even if they are held outside India. Similarly, Pakistani athletes can participate in multilateral events hosted in India.
The ministry has also said visa procedures for athletes, technical staff and international sports officials will be simplified as India seeks to strengthen its position as a host for major international sporting events, including the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.
The SAF Games, however, will be a particularly significant test of the policy because Pakistan is the host nation.
For now, the MEA has stopped short of confirming India’s participation, saying the decision will be guided by the Sports Ministry’s policy, the directions of international sporting bodies and the interests of Indian sportspersons.
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