In a marked diplomatic move, India has formally protested China’s refusal to grant entry to three wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh for the Asian Games, resulting in the cancellation of the visit of India’s Union Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur, to China. The Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, addressing the media, declared India’s rejection of the differential treatment meted out to Indian citizens on the grounds of domicile and ethnicity, terming it a violation of the spirit of the Asian Games.
Bagchi stated, “In line with our long-standing and consistent position, India firmly rejects differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.” He further emphasized that a strong protest had been registered in both New Delhi and Beijing against China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of certain Indian sportspersons, which not only goes against the ethos of the Asian Games but also contravenes the rules governing their conduct, which explicitly prohibit discrimination against competitors from member states.
The three wushu players in question, Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu, received accreditation cards from the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC), which also serves as an entry visa. However, they were unable to download their travel documents on the scheduled departure date for the Asian Games.
Former Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter to condemn China’s actions, highlighting that such behavior is not only contrary to the principles of sportsmanship but also violates the established rules of the Asian Games. Rijiju affirmed that Arunachal Pradesh is an indisputable part of India, and the entire population of the region vehemently opposes any illegitimate claims by China.
Contradicting India’s claims, Wei Jizhong, Chairman of the OCA’s Ethics Committee, denied that China had refused visas to the players. He contended that these athletes had not accepted the visas granted to them, asserting that this issue did not fall within the purview of the OCA but was rather a matter of athlete choice. He clarified that China had an agreement in place to allow all athletes with certified eligibility to compete in the country, and the visas had already been granted.
This incident has strained relations between India and China, underscoring the importance of non-discriminatory treatment in international sporting events and the broader diplomatic landscape.
