New Delhi: Despite the strained relations between India and Pakistan the Pakistan mens hockey team has been given permission to travel to India to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Rajgir Bihar from August 27 to September 7 2025. A Sports Ministry source on Thursday confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Sports Ministry have all given the nod to the Pakistan team. The news assumes significance as the relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated significantly after the recent incidents like the terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor. What did Hockey India officials decide? After these incidents there was speculation that the Indian government might cancel visas for Pakistani citizens which had cast doubts over the participation of the Pakistan hockey team. Hockey India officials had earlier said that they would follow the governments instructions and keep a close watch on the situation. However it now appears that the Indian government has decided to keep sports and politics separate at least in terms of multinational events. What would be the India-Pakistan relations after this move? The last time the Pakistan hockey team did not participate in the Junior World Cup was in 2016 in Lucknow a few months after the Pathankot terrorist attack. Despite this Pakistans participation in the Asia Cup this time is considered a positive sign for sports diplomacy. It will be interesting to see in which direction the sports relations between India and Pakistan move in the future especially when the two countries may also face each other in the Junior World Cup to be held in India later this year. What did the ministry source say? The ministry source clarified We are not against any team competing in a multinational competition in India. But bilateral (sports relations) is a different matter. International sports demand that we cannot back down from competition. Russia and Ukraine are at war but they participate in multinational events. The statement comes amid speculation that the Pakistan team may be prevented from coming to India due to the current geopolitical tensions. What is BCCIs take? When asked about allowing India to play against Pakistan in the Cricket Asia Cup scheduled in September the source said The BCCI has not yet approached us in this regard. We will consider it when they approach us. The Asia Cup is important for all participating teams as it is a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Pakistans confirmation of participation ensures that high-stakes encounters between these two neighbouring countries in global hockey will continue within the framework of international tournaments. It will be interesting to see in which direction the sporting relationship between India and Pakistan moves in the future especially when the two countries may also face each other in the Junior World Cup to be held in India later this year.