Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and Asian Games organizers are presently engaged in a comprehensive examination of a pressing issue. It pertains to the unfortunate circumstance where three Indian athletes find themselves unable to participate in the grand sporting event hosted in China, primarily due to a visa quandary. Acting OCA President, Raja Randhir Singh, conveyed during a press conference in the prominent eastern Chinese host city, Hangzhou, that “OCA is actively scrutinizing the matter.” He emphasized that not only the OCA but also the event organizers and government entities are invested in addressing this complex situation. “Given the diplomatic nature of this issue,” Singh articulated, “authorities are diligently assessing it, and we hope that a favorable resolution will emerge.”
The crux of the matter lies in the fact that the three wushu fighters, hailing from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, were issued stapled visas instead of the conventionally stamped ones. India’s Ministry of External Affairs has been unequivocal in its stance, asserting that stapled visas are not recognized as valid travel documents.
Wei Jizhong, who chairs the OCA’s ethics committee, clarified in previous statements that China did not outright deny entry to these athletes. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that the practice of issuing visas on loose sheets of paper, as observed in this case, has been interpreted as a subtle expression of China’s stance regarding India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh. This region, nestled near the China-India border, remains a contentious territorial issue, with Beijing asserting its claim over Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of Tibet. In stark contrast, New Delhi staunchly rejects this claim, steadfastly maintaining that Arunachal Pradesh has always been an inseparable part of India.
It’s noteworthy that the historical context between Beijing and New Delhi has been marked by tension and discord. The two nations famously engaged in a conflict over the disputed Himalayan frontier in 1962, leaving a lasting legacy of unease in their relations. Furthermore, in 2020, bilateral relations took a significant hit following a border skirmish in which casualties were incurred on both sides, with 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers losing their lives.
Amid this intricate backdrop, the Asian Games, originally delayed by a year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, have emerged as a monumental gathering of athletic talent. This event draws participation from a staggering 12,400 athletes representing 45 nations, all vying for the coveted 481 gold medals across an extensive array of 40 sporting disciplines.
By Reuters
