BackAsian Games 2023: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur cancels China visit amid row over entry of Arunachal Pradesh athletes
Union sports minister cancels visit to China for Asian Games amid row over entry of athletes from Arunachal Pradesh.
PremiumUnion sports minister Anurag Thakur has cancelled his visit to China for the upcoming Asian Games amid an escalating row over entry to athletes. The MEA announcement came after Chinese authorities denied accreditation and entry to some sportspeople from Arunachal Pradesh for the Games.
“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," said foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi.
The MEA dubbed it a ‘targeted and pre-meditated’ decision and reiterated its stance on territorial boundaries.
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"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 said.
Other lawmakers including fellow Union Minister Kiren Rijiju have also condemned the Chinese decision. The official said that Thakur's tour had been cancelled and no other official from India would visit China for the Asian Games.
“Arunachal Pradesh is not a disputed territory but an inalienable part of India. This step of China will not change the status of the state... The steps taken by China are unethical and illegal... The International Olympic Committee should reign in China's illegitimate action…The entire people of the country are resolutely opposing this illegal step of China and in future, the Indian Government will answer this…" he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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