India and Pakistan will clash on September 14 in Dubai in Asia Cup 2025.
This will be their first encounter since India began Operation Sindoor in response to the deaths of 26 tourists in a terror incident in Pahalgam earlier this year.
"The India-Pakistan match always comes into the limelight, but after Operation Sindoor, everyone said there should be no cricket and no business. We were playing the (World Championship of) Legends; we did not play that match (against Pakistan)," Harbhajan Singh told the media at an event.
Following the Pahalgam incident, the Indian government implemented a policy in which the country would compete in multilateral competitions against its neighbors rather than bilaterally with Pakistan.
Harbhajan stated that while he does not promote cricket or trade with Pakistan, he respects the Indian government's position on the issue.
"Everyone has their own way of thinking and understanding, but I feel till the time relations between the two countries do not improve, cricket and business should not be there as well. But then, that is my thought. If the government says the match can happen, it should happen, but the relations between the two countries should be better," he added.
Harbhajan Singh also lauded the Indian team for positively moving on from the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The two greats of the game have retired from T20Is and Tests, only playing ODIs.
"If there is any team that can beat the Indian team, it is the Indian team itself—it is such a strong team. Our cricket is at a different level, the way we have made our name... even if Virat (Kohli) and Rohit (Sharma) are gone, the team is completely ready. Playing in Dubai is like playing at home and on home turf. The role of the spinners will be huge, and I hope the team brings the cup back," Harbhajan added.
Harbhajan also appealed to extend support to flood-affected Punjab.
"Punjabi people have this spirit and trait of standing up for whoever is in trouble, not just their own people. Today, Punjab is facing this disaster; a lot of people have been affected, and a lot of farms have been affected. I would have been nothing if not for Punjab. Your support is important; it can be of any kind," he said.
(PTI inputs)