Beijing has been poking New Delhi about Arunachal Pradesh constantly and recently objected to India...
Digital Desk: Following the exclusion of three Indian athletes from the present 19th Asian Games, India on Friday submitted a strong complaint against China, firmly opposing any distinctive treatment of Indian citizens based on domicile or ethnicity.
The response comes after three of the 11-member Wushu contingent, who were supposed to represent the games in China, were compelled to stay in the national capital. These athletes are from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, however, they were not given their travelling credentials. The group was scheduled to go to Hangzhou through Hong Kong, but they didn’t receive clearance to travel beyond Hong Kong.
While responding to the media queries on some Indian sportspersons being denied entry into Asian Games, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said “Govt of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and discriminated against some of the Indian athletes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.”
He further added, “India vehemently opposes treating Indian residents differently depending on domicile or ethnicity, in line with our long-standing and unwavering stance. Arunachal Pradesh has always been, and always will be, an integral and inseparable part of India.”
Bagchi claimed that there has been a strong protest over China's deliberate and selective obstruction of selected Indian athletes in New Delhi and Beijing. "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 poking New Delhi about Arunachal Pradesh constantly and recently objected to India holding a G20 meeting in Itanagar. Arunachal Pradesh state was included on a distorted map of China's territory that was released last month. India vehemently denounced both of China's activities and reaffirmed that the state of Arunachal Pradesh was still an integral part of India.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games as a mark of protest against the latest Chinese provocation. The MEA official said, "The Government of India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard our interests."
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