Itanagar, July 28: India has taken the decision to withdraw its entire contingent of martial sports wushu from an event in China after three athletes from Arunachal Pradesh were issued stapled visas.
The move comes as a strong response to Beijing’s refusal to issue regular visas to individuals from Arunachal Pradesh, a region that India firmly considers as part of its territory but is claimed by China.
A stapled visa is not stamped on the passport but is rather attached to the document using a staple. This practice can lead to complications and has been a point of contention between India and China in the past.
In 2013, India raised objections to China’s issuance of stapled visas to individuals from Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in the discontinuation of this practice for several years. However, it appears that the issue has resurfaced, leading to further tensions between the two countries.
The incident came to light when an eight-member contingent, including five athletes, a coach, and two support staff, was stopped at the boarding gate by airport authorities in New Delhi. The contingent was scheduled to participate in the World University Games in Chengdu. The immigration officials and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel halted their departure without providing a specific reason, stating that they were following government instructions.
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External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi expressed India’s strong disapproval of China’s decision to issue stapled visas to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh. He emphasized that such discriminatory practices are unacceptable, and India firmly believes that all its citizens holding valid passports should be treated without any discrimination based on their domicile or ethnicity.
According to officials, the athletes submitted their visa applications on July 16. While the visa applications of the rest of the team were processed in due time, the documents of the three athletes from Arunachal Pradesh were not accepted initially, and they were asked to reapply. Subsequently, on Wednesday, they were issued stapled visas, leading to the contentious situation.
This visa dispute is not the first of its kind between India and China. In the past, similar incidents have arisen, causing strains in bilateral relations. The border tensions between the two countries, especially in the Galwan Valley clash in eastern Ladakh in June 2020 and another incident in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh two years later, have also contributed to the already complex relationship.
In 2011, a similar incident occurred when five karate players from Arunachal Pradesh were given stapled visas for competition in Quanzhou.
The decision to withdraw the wushu contingent from China serves as a stern response to China’s stance on the disputed territory and its issuance of stapled visas. It underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and maintaining its territorial integrity. The incident adds to the list of challenges faced in India-China relations, demanding continuous dialogue and diplomatic efforts to find resolutions to contentious issues.
As the situation unfolds, the focus now remains on how both nations navigate this diplomatic stand-off and seek common ground to foster cooperation and better mutual understanding. The incident also highlights the need for further discussions on sensitive border issues and the importance of adhering to established international norms and protocols concerning visa procedures and territorial claims.
