India want Davis Cup tie moved from Pakistan over Kashmir

New Delhi: India have asked the International Tennis Federation to shift their upcoming Davis Cup tie from Pakistan to a neutral venue due to escalating political tensions between the two nations.

The Indian team are scheduled to tour Pakistan’s capital Islamabad for the Asia/Oceania Group 1 tie to be held on September 14 and 15.

But relations between the neighbours are badly strained after India revoked the special autonomy status of Kashmir, which the nuclear-armed rivals have fought two wars over since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

“We have asked ITF for a neutral venue because the situation is a bit unpredictable,” All India Tennis Association (AITA) president Praveen Mahajan told AFP on Sunday.

“I believe it is a reasonable request because of the current state of affairs.”

Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with India over Kashmir and stopped a cross-border train.

The AITA was preparing to send its team to Pakistan despite suspended sporting ties between the two countries but the Kashmir situation has raised fresh doubts.