19th Asian Games in Hangzhou: Union minister Anurag Thakur cancels China trip due to visa denial for Arunachal Pradesh athletes
New Delhi, September 22: India has formally registered a protest against China's deliberate and selective obstruction of athletes from Arunachal Pradesh by denying them visas and accreditation for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. Union Minister Anurag Thakur has also canceled his planned visit to China in response to this issue.
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The Indian government has expressed its concern over China's targeted and premeditated discrimination against Indian sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh. India vehemently rejects any form of differential treatment of its citizens based on domicile or ethnicity, reiterating that Arunachal Pradesh is and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi emphasised that India has lodged a strong protest both in New Delhi and Beijing against China's deliberate and selective obstruction of Indian athletes. Such actions are in violation of the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct.
It's important to note that China claims Arunachal Pradesh as its territory, referring to it as South Tibet. Last month, China issued a new "standard" map that included Arunachal Pradesh and the Aksai Chin region in eastern Ladakh within its boundaries, a move that drew international criticism.
- With inputs from agencies
