In what might come as a major blow to Pakistan’s aspirations of playing in the FIH Men’s World Cup next year, the team might not travel to India for the upcoming Asia Cup as well as for the Junior Men’s World Cup later this year, in light of strained relations between the two countries, according to a report in AFP. India and Pakistan traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to take part in the Asia Cup to be hosted by India next month, for which the hockey federation had sought the government’s clearance. “After the recent war, the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk,” a Pakistan sports ministry source told AFP. Pakistan will not take part in the Junior World Cup in India in November either, the source told AFP. Once a force to be reckoned with in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan has slumped to a lowly 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup might cost Pakistan a place in the 2026 senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government source confirmed the decision to AFP as well. India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border. Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two nations just meeting each other in multinational events abroad. India refused to visit Pakistan in 2025 when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will not send its women’s cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup in 2026 either. But all hell broke loose when terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam in April, which was followed by the military confrontation in May. Pakistan’s hockey team last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six sides.