NEW DELHI, March 15: The field hockey series between India and Pakistan was called off Friday after the Indian government declined to give the go-ahead owing to deteriorating relations between the two countries.

The Pakistan hockey squad had been scheduled to visit India for five games from April 5-15. India was due to play five games in Pakistan from April 23-May 2.

“The external affairs ministry has advised us not to go ahead with the hockey matches, so we are not going ahead with the series respecting their decision,” Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra told The Associated Press by telephone.—AP