The Indian, who became the first-ever Asian to lead hockey’s worldwide governing body with a comprehensive election victory here yesterday, insisted the two teams would have no choice but to travel to each other's country should they join the competition.

The event is due to be launched in 2019 as part of an event reshuffle at the FIH and which will offer Olympic qualification.

The 59-year-old, the President of Hockey India before he succeeded Leandro Negre at the helm of the FIH, admitted, however, that a neutral venue may have to be used if the teams both enter the league if Pakistan is not deemed politically safe.

The United Arab Emirates could be a possible host having staged Pakistan’s international home cricket matches since the Sri Lankan cricket team were attacked in Lahore in 2009.

The Champions Trophy, due to be scrapped as part of the FIH’s new calendar, was the last major hockey event hosted by Pakistan in 2005.

India have not played a series there since 2006.

The two sides faced off at the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan in Malaysia last month as India emerged with a narrow 3-2 victory and no issues were reported.

"There are certain political issues between Pakistan and India," Batra said.

"When they start, when they stop, nobody has any idea - but international commitments, you cannot refuse, whether you are India or you are Pakistan.

"If India and Pakistan are part of the home and away global league, we will have to play each other - it is as simple as that.

"You cannot ignore your international commitments.

"If India tries to ignore their international commitment, or Pakistan tries to do that, then you will miss the bus to the Olympics and you cannot afford to do that."

Batra, the 12th FIH President and the first Indian head of an Olympic International Federation, stressed the home and away league, the key element of the new portfolio.

The competition has been launched in response to hockey nearly being cut from the Olympic programme in 2013.

Batra believes India and Pakistan would be a "good addition" to the tournament.

"India-Pakistan have always been high intensity games, with good viewership," the 59-year-old added.

"So home-and-away, I believe, will be a good addition to that, and I am a strong supporter of home-and-away.

"But if, and I am saying if, a team cannot travel to Pakistan because of any political reasons, then we always have a neutral venue as an option and then it is for Pakistan to decide which neutral venue they select to play their home matches."

Batra, who earned 68 votes in the first round to beat challengers David Balbirnie of Ireland and Australia’s Ken Read to secure the FIH Presidency, also claimed hockey tensions between India and Pakistan had cooled recently. 

The Indian official said he had held a meeting with the Pakistan Federation during the Hockey Revolution Part II Conference and Congress to settle their differences after Pakistan upset their opponents with overly-wild celebrations after earning victory over the hosts at the 2014 Champions Trophy in in Bhubaneswar.

"Me and the President of the Pakistan Federation, we sat together and we have resolved all our past issues," Batra said.