New Delhi: India will not engage in any bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, but the Sports Ministry on Thursday clarified that national teams, including the cricket squad, will be allowed to compete in multilateral events like the Asia Cup, where Pakistan is also participating.

The ministry unveiled the new policy with regard to India's international engagements with emphasis on Pakistan. PTI reported that this policy is effective immediately. 

"India's approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country," states the ministry policy. "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," it added.

However, the multilateral engagements will not be affected. "We will not stop the Indian cricket team from playing in the Asia Cup as it is multilateral," a ministry source told PTI. "But Pakistan will not be allowed on Indian soil for bilateral competitions. But we will not stop them from multilateral events as we will abide by the Olympic Charter," he added.

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