Minister Cancels Visit to China for Asian Games Due to Visa Denial for Arunachal Players

India officially protested against China’s deliberate and selective refusal to grant visas and accreditation to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in the cancellation of Union Minister Anurag Thakur’s planned visit to China.

The Indian government condemned China’s discriminatory treatment of Indian sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh, accusing Beijing of targeting and premeditatedly obstructing their participation in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The government stressed its consistent stance that Indian citizens should not face differential treatment based on their place of residence or ethnicity, reaffirming Arunachal Pradesh as an integral and inseparable part of India, according to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

Bagchi stated that the Indian government had lodged strong protests in both New Delhi and Beijing, asserting that China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of Indian athletes violated the principles of both the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct. He emphasized India’s right to take appropriate measures to safeguard its interests.

It’s worth noting that China claims Arunachal Pradesh, referred to as South Tibet, as part of its territory. In a move that sparked international criticism, China recently released a new “standard” map that included Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region in eastern Ladakh within its borders.