India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports put off his visit to China on Friday. The move was made in protest after China denied entry to three Indian wushu players, who hail from Arunachal Pradesh, Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Seven additional players and staff members from the Indian Wushu squad travelled to Hong Kong and then took the flight to Hangzhou, China.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the government of India reserves the right to take appropriate measures to safeguard our interests.

In response to China’s rejection of accreditation to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, the MEA issued a statement that said, India rejects differential treatment of Indian citizens on a domicile basis.

The MEA further said China’s action violates the spirit of the Asian Games and, rules governing their conduct.

At Delhi’s Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, the Indian players were returned to the Sports Authority of India hostel.

A senior member of the Wushu squad in China said that they had brought up the issue with the OCA (Olympic Council of Asia) and the organising body of the Asian Games.

They expressed hope that the situation will be handled quickly.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, said on Friday in reaction to claims that Indian competitors had been refused entry as the host country, China welcomes athletes from all countries to come to Hangzhou to participate in the Asian Games with legal documents.

The so-called Arunachal Pradesh is not recognised by the Chinese government. Zangnan (the southern portion of the Xizang Autonomous Region in Southwest China) is a part of Chinese land, according to Ning. Meanwhile, other lawmakers, notably Kiren Rijiju, a fellow Union Minister, have also criticised the Chinese move. The representative announced that Thakur’s tour had been cancelled and that no other representatives from India would travel to China for the Asian Games.

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