India’s Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently released the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) manifesto ahead of the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, one of his statements is being linked to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place next year in Pakistan. So far, neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the Indian government has made a clear stance on sending Team India to Pakistan.
Amit Shah stated, “We are not in favor of holding any talks with the Pakistani government until terrorism is completely eradicated. Instead, we are inclined to understand and engage with the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.” In addition to this, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has also remarked that the era of dialogue with Pakistan is long over.
Amit Shah’s statement is being connected to the 2025 Champions Trophy, as his firm stance against Pakistan suggests that the Indian government is unlikely to agree to send the cricket team across the border for the tournament. A while ago, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla also issued a statement, clarifying that the decision to send Team India lies entirely in the hands of the Indian government.
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Pakistan’s stance is clear
For the 2025 Champions Trophy, the ICC has allocated millions of rupees to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), with efforts underway to upgrade stadiums and provide world-class facilities. The PCB has made it clear that it is not willing to adopt a hybrid model, which would involve holding India’s matches in a different country. However, Amit Shah’s recent remarks suggest that there is a strong possibility that Team India might miss the Champions Trophy altogether.