India withdraws Wushu team in protest after China's 'discriminatory action' towards Arunachal athletes

After China issued stapled visas to three Indian athletes belonging to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India withdrew its entire Wushu (martial arts) team on July 27, from a sporting event being held in a Chinese city.

The athletes, Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega and Mepung Lamgu, were part of a 12-member contingent due to take part in the World University Games (July 28-August 8) in China's Chengdu.

A report by The Indian Express quoted an unnamed official of the Wushu Federation of India as saying, 'In response to China’s discriminatory action, the government decided that no Indian wushu player should travel for the competition.'

Calling the decision by China unacceptable External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, '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.'

He added, 'Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment based on domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid India passports.'

China's refusal to give stamped visas to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh stems from its territorial claims to the border state which India has repeatedly denied.

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