New Delhi, May 8 -- India will maintain a blanket ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, the union sports ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. However, Indian teams and players will compete in international events that also feature Pakistan, whose participation in events being hosted by India will also be allowed. The statement issued on Tuesday under the header 'India's policy towards international sporting events' said: "India's approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country. In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India." "With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events. "Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India." The statement also said that in its bid to "make India a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events" the visa process for athletes, officials and office-bearers of international sports governing bodies will be simplified. For office-bearers of international sports governing bodies, multi-entry visa during their official tenure will be issue, up to a maximum period of five years. The ministry statement reflects the government policy announced on August 19 last year after criticism over the Indian cricket team's participation in the Asia Cup in the UAE where they faced Pakistan, months after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Relations between the countries deteriorated sharply after that following an intense four-day military conflict-their worst standoff in decades-that killed more than 70 people in missile, drone and artillery fire on both sides. India would like to make a clear distinction over staging international sports competitions as the country will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. It also is in the race to stage the 2036 Olympics. Keeping in mind India's ambition to host major sports events, it will have to respect the International Olympic Charter that safeguards countries from being excluded in sports on the basis of "racial, religious or political reasons or by reason of other forms of discrimination."...