India slams China for denying accreditation to sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh for Asian Games

India protests China's denial of accreditation for Asian Games to Arunachal Pradesh sportspersons. EAM Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India reserves right to take suitable measures to safeguard interests. India lodged strong protest against China's discriminatory behaviour and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur cancelled visit to China.

India has lodged strong protests with China over its denial of accreditation for the Asian Games in Hangzhou to some of the Indian sportspersons from Arunachal Pradesh, saying the action violates the spirit of the sporting event and rules governing its conduct.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said as a mark of India's protest against China's discriminatory behaviour, Union Information and Broadcasting and Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games.

Mr. Bagchi said India reserves the right to take "suitable measures to safeguard our interests''.

"The government of India has learnt that the Chinese authorities have, in a targeted and pre-meditated manner, discriminated against some of the Indian sportspersons from the state of Arunachal Pradesh by denying them accreditation and entry to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China," Mr. Bagchi said.

"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.

Mr. Bagchi said a strong protest has been lodged in New Delhi and Beijing against China's "deliberate and selective obstruction" of some of our sportspersons.