India and Pakistan Hockey Teams Trade Handshakes at FIH Pro League in London

Athletes from India and Pakistan prioritized sportsmanship over ongoing bilateral tensions by exchanging handshakes ahead of their historic 2026 FIH Pro League clash in London on Tuesday. The gesture stands in stark contrast to the rigid non-engagement policy currently maintained by Indian cricket teams.

The male hockey players representing India and Pakistan sidelined geopolitical friction to exchange pre-match greetings prior to their maiden FIH Pro League encounter in London on Tuesday. This display follows significant media scrutiny surrounding the Indian cricket ecosystem’s ongoing refusal to engage in handshakes with Pakistan, a policy recently visible at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in the United Kingdom.

Diverging from their cricketing counterparts, the Indian men’s national hockey lineup, captained by Harmanpreet Singh, participated in traditional handshakes immediately following the national anthems at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. Significantly, this fixture represents the inaugural on-field meeting between the two rivals in the FIH Pro League, where Pakistan is making its tournament debut.

The restrictive handshake policy utilized in cricket was originally implemented by former Indian men’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav during the 2025 Asia Cup. The measure was introduced in solidarity with Operation Sindoor and as an explicit protest against the Pahalgam attack. Consequently, no senior Indian cricket squad has since shared handshakes with Pakistani opponents.

Hockey India follows FIH, Olympic Charter

Previously, the national junior lineup exchanged high-fives with Pakistan during the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2025. Reflecting on that event, Bhola Nath Singh, who served as the Hockey India (HI) secretary, clarified that the domestic governing body operates strictly under the Olympic Charter and directives established by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). He emphasized that the federation does not mandate political protests on the field.

“We are not governed by cricket. Whatever the cricketers did, it was their choice. We follow the Olympic Charter and what FIH says. There are no such instructions to avoid handshakes or high-fives from HI,” Bholanath told TOI.

The administrator further asserted that the federation will refrain from issuing restrictive behavioral mandates to its athletes during future international fixtures involving Pakistan. He concluded that the primary sporting objective remains secured on competing cleanly and securing victories on the turf.

India vs Pakistan starting line-ups

Pakistan: Muhammad Abdullah, Moin Shakeel, Waheed Ashraf Rana, Zikriya Hayat, Arshad Liaqat, Ahmad Nadeem, Ghazanfar Ali, Muhammad Hammadudin, Abu Mahmood (c), Ali Raza (gk), Abdul Manan.

India: Suraj Karkera (goalkeeper), Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Jarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay, Abhishek, Rajinder Singh

Future Outlook

The debut of Pakistan in the FIH Pro League and their subsequent integration into regular fixtures against top-tier nations like India signals a potential stabilization of athletic relations outside of cricket. As the FIH enforces strict adherence to non-political sporting charters, hockey may continue to serve as a rare neutral ground for bilateral athletic engagement. Observers will monitor whether other sports federations follow Hockey India’s independent governance model or align with the stricter stance of the country’s cricketing leadership.

FAQs

Why did the Indian hockey team shake hands with Pakistan?

The Indian hockey team exchanged handshakes because Hockey India operates under the guidelines of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Olympic Charter, which promote sportsmanship and do not mandate political non-engagement on the field.

What is the origin of the Indian cricket team’s no-handshake policy?

The policy was initiated by former T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav during the 2025 Asia Cup. It was adopted as a protest against the Pahalgam attack and in solidarity with Operation Sindoor, and has since been observed by both men’s and women’s cricket squads.

Where was the FIH Pro League match played?

The historic encounter between the two traditional rivals took place at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London.

Has Pakistan played in the FIH Pro League before?

No, the 2026 season marks the official debut of the Pakistani men’s hockey team in the FIH Pro League tournament.