November 25, 2024

Asian Games: Row over Arunachal sportspersons: Union sports minister Anurag Thakur cancels visit to China for 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou | India News

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NEW DELHI: Union sports minister Anurag Thakur has cancelled his visit to China for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou after Chinese authorities denied accreditation and entry to some sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh to the Games.
The development comes as the ministry of external affairs reacted to reports of discrimination by Chinese authorities.
“The government of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and pre-meditated manner, discriminated against some Indian sportspersons from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
“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. A strong protest has been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing against China’s deliberate and selective obstruction of some of our sportspersons,” he added.
The MEA said that 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.
“As a mark of our protest against the Chinese action, the Union sports minister has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Gamest. The government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interests,” added Bagchi.



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