The SAF Games 2027 are to be held in Pakistan. Will India participate?
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday said that any decision on India’s participation in the South Asian Federation (SAF) 2027 Games to be held in Pakistan will be guided by the recent policy of the Sports Ministry.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this in response to a query at his media briefing where he was asked about the news regarding India’s participation in the SAF Games.
“Your second question regarding the news about India’s participation in the SAF Games. India’s participation in any international tournament or multilateral championship is governed by the recent policy announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.”
“And this policy is in the public domain, so please look at it. There we follow what directions or what international bodies, sports bodies have to say on such matters, as well as the interests of our athletes,” Jaiswal said.
Pakistan will host the SAF Games next year in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar from April 3 to 11. The South Asian Olympic Council (SAOC) has approved the dates and venues for the regional multi-sport event at a recent meeting in Islamabad, according to the Olympics website.
The question regarding India’s participation comes in the backdrop of the government’s latest clarification on sports ties with Pakistan.
INDIA’S SPORTS POLICY IN PAKISTAN
The Sports Ministry recently reiterated that India will not participate in bilateral sports events in Pakistan and will not allow Pakistani teams to compete in bilateral events in India. However, he also made it clear that the policy does not apply to multilateral competitions involving athletes or teams from both countries.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports lists a file titled “India’s Policy towards International Sports Events” on its website.
“When it comes to international and multilateral events in India or abroad, we follow the practices of international sports organizations and the interest of our own athletes. It is also important to consider that India has become a credible venue for hosting international sports events,” the policy said.
“Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will participate in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be allowed to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India,” the document said.
The policy was first announced last year following criticism of India’s participation in the Asia Cricket 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 stance against bilateral sports ties.
The latest clarification formally reiterated this position, with the ministry communicating the policy to national sports federations, the Indian Olympic Association and the Sports Authority of India.
Under this policy, Indian athletes can compete in international events involving Pakistan even if they are held outside India. Similarly, Pakistani athletes can participate in multilateral events held in India.
The ministry also said that visa procedures for athletes, technical staff and international sports officials will be simplified as India seeks to strengthen its position as host of major international sporting events, including the proposed 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics.
However, the SAF Games will be a particularly significant test of this policy as Pakistan is the host country.
For now, the MEA has stopped short of confirming India’s participation, saying the decision will be guided by the sports ministry’s policy, guidelines from international sports organizations and the interests of Indian athletes.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
09 Sep 2026 13:46 IST