India withdrew its men’s and women’s teams last month, citing COVID-19 related concerns and "discriminatory and biased" quarantine rules.

Hockey India President Gyanandro Ningombam also cited the close proximity of the end of the Commonwealth Games and the start of the Asian Games.

CGF President Dame Louise Martin has been working behind the scenes since the decision was announced to get India to change its mind.

She has been supported by Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who has criticised the decision to make the announcement without any consultation.

Sadleir has revealed that Dame Louise has held several positive talks with officials in India, including Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Batra.

"The [CGF] President had a conversation last week with the Indian [Olympic Association] President and that went very well, very well, very," Sadleir told insidethegames.

"Are we expecting an Indian hockey team?

"Yes, if they are invited, we are expecting an Indian hockey team."

Last week Birmingham 2022 director of sport Matt Kidson told insidethegames that Hockey India’s omission was not "dead in the water yet" and was "pretty sure" they would reverse their decision.

A list of qualified nations is due to be announced in February for a tournament set to feature five men and five women’s teams.

India's hockey teams are among the best in the world.

India’s men won the bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 - their first Olympic hockey medal since they claimed the gold at Moscow 1980.

The women, meanwhile, narrowly missed out on winning their first Olympic medal when they were beaten 4-3 by Great Britain in the bronze-medal playoff.

Relations between the CGF and India have been strained since it was announced that shooting had not been included on the programme for Birmingham 2022.

It led to India threatening to boycott the whole Games.

Since then, the CGF have been making efforts to restore ties.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is due to arrive in India on January 12 as it continues its journey around the world from Buckingham Palace to the Opening Ceremony at Birmingham 2022 on July 28.

Its arrival is seen as a key event.

"We want to make sure that is an incredible success," said Sadleir.

"There is a high level of interest from trade to be involved in that."