Hockey India has stated that it will not prevent its players from shaking hands with the Pakistani team at future international games. When players from Pakistan and India shook hands before their match at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia, uproar broke out. Many were taken aback when the men's and women's cricket teams chose not to greet the Pakistani players during the Asia Cup 2025 and the Women's World Cup 2025, respectively. But according to Hockey India, they would follow the rules and values of the sport.
Cricket does not rule us. The cricket players had a choice in everything they did. We adhere to FIH's guidelines and the Olympic Charter.

The Times of India cited HI secretary Bhola Nath Singh as saying, "There are no such instructions to avoid handshakes or high fives from HI."
Additionally, Hockey India clarified that no new rules will be released anytime soon and that the players were never told not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.
In subsequent encounters with Pakistan, HI would not provide its players with any instructions. "We'll play and try to win," he said.
The 'handshake' posture during the 2025 Asia Cup caused a great deal of criticism. Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India, declined to shake hands with Salman Ali Agha, the captain of Pakistan. Following the games, the Indian team members similarly declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was incensed, and the situation apparently got so bad that Pakistan even thought about skipping a game. But no such choice was made.
During India's Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 match against Pakistan, Harmanpreet Kaur took a similar stand by refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani captain.