Indian athletes will be allowed to shake hands and exchange greetings with Pakistani athletes during the Commonwealth Games 2026. According to a Times of India report, they have been advised not to accept any gifts from their Pakistani Athletes.
The advisory comes amid strained relations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. In the months after the incident, many fans noticed that Indian cricketers did not shake hands with Pakistani players after matches. While the gesture sparked widespread discussion, the Sports Ministry had not issued any official directive banning handshakes.
The Commonwealth Games, however, will follow normal international sporting protocol. Athletes can greet and shake hands with one another after events, but they have been advised against accepting gifts from Pakistani competitors.
Although India and Pakistan are unlikely to face each other in many events in Glasgow, one contest that has already captured fans’ attention is the men’s javelin throw.
India’s Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion, will renew his rivalry with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion. Their meetings have become one of the biggest attractions in world athletics, drawing massive interest from fans on both sides of the border.
The battle for gold is expected to be even more competitive this time. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has enjoyed an impressive season and has emerged as a genuine medal contender, adding another exciting dimension to what promises to be one of the standout events of the Commonwealth Games 2026.