After China Discriminates Against Arunachal Athletes, Anurag Thakur Cancels Asian Games Trip

Firmly rejecting China’s differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity, India on Friday lodged a strong protest against the country after three Indian sportspersons were denied entry into the ongoing 19th Asian Games.

This response comes after three of the 11-member Wushu contingent, set to represent the games in China, were forced to stay in the national capital. These athletes, who did not receive their traveling credentials, belong to the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The contingent was booked to fly to Hangzhou through Hong Kong, but they didn’t receive clearance to travel beyond Hong Kong.

“Government of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and pre-meditated manner, discriminated against some of the Indian sportspersons from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to media queries on some Indian sportspersons being denied entry into Asian Games.

“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 added.

Bagchi said a strong protest has been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing against China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of some of Indian sportspersons. “China’s action violates both the spirit of the Asian Games and the rules governing their conduct, which explicitly prohibits discrimination against competitors from member states,” he added.

Beijing has been constantly provoking New Delhi about Arunachal Pradesh and had objected to India holding a G20 meeting in Itanagar recently. Last month, China had issued a distorted map of its territory, showing Arunachal Pradesh state as part of China. India strongly protested at China’s actions on both counts and reiterated that the state of Arunachal Pradesh remained an integral part of India.

As a mark of protest against the latest Chinese provocation, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games. “Government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interests,” the MEA spokesperson added.