Arunachal Has Never Been Part Of China In History: CM Pema Khandu Slams Beijing Over Wushu Players' Visa Row

Referring to the recent rejection of ordinary visas, CM stated that China "unnecessarily" attempts to introduce a "political angle" anytime there is a problem with the border state.

After Chinese authorities denied visa to Indian wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh for the 19th Asian Games, Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday stated that he is astonished by this decision, adding that "it is very unfortunate that they keep creating obstacles. They claim that Arunachal Pradesh is their part but in history, Arunachal has never been a part of China. Everyone knows this," news agency ANI reported. Referring to the recent rejection of ordinary visas, CM stated that China "unnecessarily" attempts to introduce a "political angle" anytime there is a problem with the border state.

Recently, the simmering diplomatic tensions between China and India reached a hitch during the recent Asian Games in Hangzhou. Beijing has prohibited three Arunachal Pradesh wushu athletes from travelling to the upcoming Asian Games.

Speaking with media, BJP MP from Arunachal-East, Tapir Gao said: "This has always been China's way to deal with the Arunachal Pradesh issue. But Arunachal has never been a part of China. It is a part of India no matter what China says...Our relation is only with India & not China.

After not gaining approval from the host country, three Indian martial arts competitors from Arunachal Pradesh were forced to withdraw from the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

The Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee had accepted the three Wushu athletes' participation, but they were unable to download their accreditation cards, which serve as visas to enter China. 

Notably, Arunachal Pradesh has become a new hotspot in India-China ties, already strained by the Galwan Valley conflicts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Arunachal Pradesh has been a source of contention between India and China, which erupted when Beijing produced their most recent standard map, which included Arunachal Pradesh and designated the province as "South Tibet."

China renamed 11 locations in the disputed region earlier this year. New Delhi has constantly maintained that the state has been and will continue to be a "integral and inalienable part of India."