Wushu Team Flying To China Held Back After Beijing Issues 'Stapled Visas' For Arunachal Players, MEA Reacts

Reacting to China’s action, the MEA on Thursday issued a statement describing the act as “unacceptable” and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi termed China's action as "unacceptable". ( Image Source :PTI File Photo )

The Indian wushu team’s departure to China’s Chengdu on Wednesday night to participate in the World University Games was held back after three players from Arunachal Pradesh were given stapled visas by China. The 12-member team’s departure was called off on Wednesday night which included one coach, three officials, eight players including three from Arunachal — Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu, as per a Hindustan Times report. While the rest of the team got their visas on time, for which they had applied on July 16, the documents of the three Arunachal athletes were not accepted. 

They were again asked to submit the documents on Tuesday after which the Chinese embassy returned their passports with stapled visas, the report stated, quoting people familiar with the matter as saying. 

After being apprised of the issue, the government directed the entire team to put their travel plans “on hold” for the moment. The team returned back from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi airport at around 2:30 am while the other teams proceeded with their travel to Chengdu. 

This is not the first instance of China issuing a stapled visa to Arunachal Pradesh residents as Beijing has been laying its claim over the Indian northeastern state saying it is part of southern Tibet. 

India Reserves Right To ‘Suitably Respond’ 

Reacting to China’s action, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday issued a statement describing the act as “unacceptable” and asserted that it reserves the right to "suitably respond" to such actions.

Addressing a media briefing at the national capital, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has lodged its "strong protest" with the Chinese side on the matter and there should be no discrimination on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens.

"It has come to our notice that stapled visas were issued to some of our citizens representing the country in an international sporting event in China," Bagchi said.  "This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions," he said.