Pakistan's participation in Men's Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in India in limbo after Pahalgam terror attack

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in India has become uncertain after the Pahalgam terror attack, as the Indian government decided to revoke visas given to Pakistani nationals on Thursday. Besides revoking the visas, the Indian government also ordered the Pakistani nationals to leave the country by 27 April.

The terrorist attack on tourists in the Phalagam region of Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in a loss of 26 lives, while many were injured. In reply, India have started taking non-military measures against Pakistan, including revoking visas issued to Pakistani nationals and indefinite suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.

The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 will be played from 29 August to 7 September in Rajgir, Bihar. Hockey India had confirmed earlier this month that Pakistan would be travelling to India for the tournament, however, their participation is now in doubt.

Pakistan to miss Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in India?

The organisers have multiple options in case the Pakistan team is not allowed to travel to India, including shifting the tournament outside India, having Pakistan play their matches at a neutral venue or holding the tournament without Pakistan.

A Hockey India insider has told the Indian Express that no decision has been taken so far on the matter as it’s too early. The source also added that the federation will follow the Indian government’s policy. “It is too early for us to take any call. But one thing is clear, we will follow the government’s policy, whatever it may be,” the source told the Indian Express.

Besides offering the continental crown, the winner of the  Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 will also earn a direct spot in the 2026 Hockey World Cup.

For the unversed, the India and Pakistan teams have frequently crossed the borders in recent years in sports other than cricket. The Pakistan hockey team has travelled to India multiple times in the last decade, including for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy and the 2018 World Cup. The Pakistan men’s football team was in India in 2023 for the SAFF Championship.

The Indian tennis team also visited Islamabad in 2024 for the Davis Cup.