India’s participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan, remains highly doubtful due to “security concerns,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Government of India stated on Friday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the stance, citing the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) position on the matter.

“The BCCI has issued a statement. They have said there are security concerns there, and therefore, it is unlikely that the team will be going,” Jaiswal stated during a weekly press briefing. This development underscores the ongoing strained political relations between the two nations, which have prevented India from touring Pakistan since 2008.

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India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, consisting of white-ball matches hosted in India. Since then, the two cricketing rivals have only faced each other in ICC tournaments and Asia Cups. The BCCI has consistently emphasized that any decision regarding India’s participation in events hosted in Pakistan will strictly align with the Indian government’s directives.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has remained firm in its stance. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently dismissed the idea of hosting the tournament under a hybrid model, stressing that all decisions will be made in the best interest of Pakistan cricket. “Our stance is very clear. We’ve told the ICC that equality is key, and we will do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” Naqvi said.