Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended India’s participation in the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup, emphasising that the contest was part of a multilateral event and not a bilateral series. Responding to criticism surrounding the high-voltage clash, he said boycotting such tournaments would harm India’s own interests.
Not A Bilateral Game
Rijiju clarified that the Asia Cup is a multinational championship, not an exclusive engagement between India and Pakistan. “If India skips the Asia Cup, it is not Pakistan that loses, it is India that gets eliminated. Pakistan hasn’t been invited separately,” he said, stressing that India has avoided bilateral fixtures with its neighbour but continues to compete in global and continental tournaments.
Olympic Analogy
Drawing a comparison, the minister noted that India also participates in events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Asian Championships, and World Cups, where all nations play together. “If we stay away from the Olympics due to enmity with a country, who suffers? The feeling is understandable, but rational thinking must prevail,” Rijiju remarked, underscoring that emotions should not override the broader purpose of international sports.
