In the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan’s participation in the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament—scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7—has become highly uncertain.
The Hockey India (HI) federation is currently awaiting official word from the Indian government before making any decisions regarding Pakistan’s presence in the tournament. The situation remains sensitive, with security and diplomatic considerations taking center stage.
“It is too early to say anything but we will follow the government’s directive on this issue, which has been the case in the past,” said HI secretary general Bholanath Singh.
“We can’t predict anything right now, especially after the recent barbaric Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor that India conducted following that. There are still close to three months for the tournament, but we will abide by what our government suggests. There are no two ways about it.”
The Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead and dozens injured, triggered strong retaliation from India in the form of Operation Sindoor—a series of targeted missile strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
The situation escalated rapidly as Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks, which were successfully intercepted by India’s air defence systems. India then struck multiple military and air defence installations in major Pakistani cities including Lahore and Rawalpindi, prompting global concern over the rising hostilities in South Asia.
A ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10, initiated by Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations in a formal outreach to his Indian counterpart. However, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that future engagement with Pakistan will only proceed if tangible and verifiable actions are taken by Islamabad against terror outfits.
2025 Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Line-Up
As of now, the participating teams for the 12th edition of the continental event include:
- India (Hosts)
- Pakistan
- Japan
- Korea
- Malaysia
- China
- Oman
- Chinese Taipei
The Asia Cup serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Netherlands and Belgium.
What Next?
With nearly three months to go before the tournament begins, the fate of Pakistan’s participation hangs in the balance. The final call is expected to depend entirely on geopolitical developments and advisories from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs.
For now, sports and diplomacy remain deeply intertwined, and the upcoming Asia Cup could become another flashpoint—or a potential platform—for Indo-Pak dynamics to unfold in the months ahead.