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India participated in the preparations for the 2027 South Asian Games in Pakistan, but there has been no official confirmation regarding Indian participation, including the Indian cricket team.

Indian representatives participated in the 4th SAOC Executive Committee meeting held on 23 August through video conferencing. It was hosted in Islamabad as Pakistan was preparing for the 14 th South Asian Games.

This development has gained some interest as India and Pakistan have not normalised the bilateral sporting contacts between them. But India’s involvement in the planning process must not be taken as an official approval of a Pakistan tour.

The 2027 South Asian Games will be held from 3rd to 11th April in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. They are scheduled to include 28 sports, 346 medal events and approximately 3,200 athletes.

India Takes Part in South Asian Games Preparations

Representatives from the Indian National Olympic Committee participated with officials from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the SAOC meeting.

As stated by the Olympic Council of Asia, the Indian contingent comprised Dr PT Usha, Raghuram Iyer and Ajay Naranag. The Indian representatives participated through video conferencing, whereas several other country officials graced the meeting at Islamabad.

Their involvement indicates that India continues to take part in conversations about the 2027 Games. But the other aspect is whether Indian athletes will be sent to Pakistan, which would require a different decision.

The issue is even more critical for cricket. India and Pakistan have not hosted a bilateral cricket series since 2012-2013. Their encounters have mostly been confined to a neutral venue in multi-team tournaments.

The Indian government has continued with the practice of separate venues for multilateral events and bilateral sporting relations. That is to say that, for example, taking part in a regional multi-sport event might be distinguished from engaging in a bilateral cricket series.

Will India’s Cricket Team Travel to Pakistan?

Currently, there has been no official statement that the Indian team will visit Pakistan for the South Asian Games.

Any Indian involvement on Pakistani territory would need government approval. This also applies to the cricket team if cricket continues to be part of India’s potential involvement.

Pakistan will be hosting the South Asian Games for the third time. Previously, it has hosted the 1989 and 2004 editions. The 2027 edition has already missed a number of deadlines after initially being scheduled for 2023.

The prospects of Indian athletes being allowed to go to Pakistan have naturally increased a keen interest in the event, especially because of the India-Pakistan rivalry.

Cricket would generate the most interest. The prospect of India being given permission to take part and the inclusion of its cricket team would turn an India-Pakistan game held in Pakistan into one of the greatest sporting occasions of the Games.

For the moment, though, the one development which is confirmed is that India will be participating in the run-up to the Games. There has been no official confirmation that the Indian cricket team will tour Pakistan in 2027.