NEW DELHI: India has expressed its vehement disapproval of China's refusal to grant accreditation to athletes hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, a region within India, who were set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou. This move has been widely criticized by India, as it runs counter to the principles of fair play and the established rules of conduct governing such international sporting events.

The spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the Chinese actions are not only unjust but also in direct violation of the fundamental ethos of the sporting competition. In a bold display of protest against China's discriminatory stance, Anurag Singh Thakur, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Sports, has decided to cancel his planned visit to China in connection with the Games.

Bagchi made it unequivocally clear that India reserves the right to take any necessary actions to safeguard its interests in this matter. He issued a statement asserting, "The government of India has learned with deep concern that the Chinese authorities have purposefully and premeditatedly singled out certain Indian athletes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, denying them accreditation and access to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China."

"In accordance with our unwavering and consistent stance, India categorically rejects any form of differential treatment of its citizens based on their place of origin or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh has, continues to be, and will always remain an integral and indivisible part of India," Bagchi asserted firmly.

India's formal protest has been lodged both in New Delhi and Beijing, condemning China's deliberate and selective obstruction of certain Indian athletes. This move by India underscores its commitment to ensuring that its sportspersons are treated with fairness and equality on the international stage, irrespective of their regional background or ethnicity.

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