Asian Games

Itanagar, Sept 22: India has lodged a robust protest against China for denying visas to three wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh, resulting in their withdrawal from the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou.

This incident has further strained relations between the two nations, already soured by disputes along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), particularly the Galwan Valley skirmish. The visa denial has been viewed as a violation of both the spirit of the Asian Games and the conduct rules that prohibit discrimination against competitors from member states.

Sports Minister’s China Visit Canceled in Protest

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur canceled his trip to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou as a protest against China’s action. This decision underscores India’s strong stance against the mistreatment of its athletes.

Arunachal Athletes Denied Accreditation Cards

The three women wushu fighters hail from Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern Indian state. Although the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee approved their participation, they were unable to download their accreditation cards, which function as visas for entry into China. The rest of the 10-member Indian wushu squad, along with the coaching staff, departed for the Games on Wednesday without the affected athletes.

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Arunachal Pradesh: A Flashpoint in India-China Relations

Arunachal Pradesh has become a contentious issue in India-China relations, especially since China recently released a new standard map that includes Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, designating it as “South Tibet.” This escalation occurred after China renamed 11 places in the disputed region. India consistently maintains that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of its territory.

Mixed Messages from China

While the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) honorary life vice president Wei Jizhong stated that the Indian athletes had received visas to enter China, the issue arose when they were unable to download their accreditation cards, necessary for entry. China’s stance is clear – they do not recognize the so-called Arunachal region and consider it part of their territory. In the past, Chinese authorities have issued stapled visas to Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, indicating their disregard for India’s territorial claims.

India’s Strong Protest

India’s cancellation of the sports minister’s visit and its strong protest against China’s actions underscore the seriousness with which it views this issue. The visa denial not only hampers the athletes’ participation but also reflects China’s attempts to assert territorial claims through such actions. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact India-China relations, particularly in the context of international sporting events and diplomacy.