The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has suspended all Indian applications to host future events and called for the country’s international sports isolation after two Pakistanis were denied visas for a competition in New Delhi.
The IOC on February 22 said it had been informed that Indian authorities did not grant entry visas to the Pakistani delegation for the 25-meter rapid-fire pistol event at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup.
At stake in the competition are two places at next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The visa refusal comes as tensions are rising to new highs between the rival nuclear powers. India has blamed Pakistan for a February 14 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed more than 40 soldiers, and it has warned its neighbor of a “jaw-breaking response.” Islamabad has denied any involvement and vowed to retaliate if it comes under attack. The attack on Indian troops was claimed by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM) militant group.