India protests China’s issuing of separate visas to Indians from disputed northeastern state

NEW DELHI — India protested on Thursday China’s observe to proceed to challenge separate visas which can be stapled onto passports of Indian residents from the northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state, which China claims to be a part of its South Tibet.

Three members of an Indian sports staff set to compete on the World University Games this week in China had been denied common visas – that are stamped onto passports – by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi.

Instead, they obtained their visas stapled to a web page of their passports. For India, that presents an issue as a result of if it sends athletes with stapled visas to China, it could indicate accepting China‘s declare on the territory.

There was no fast remark from Beijing however China has insisted the choice to challenge stapled visas doesn’t undermine its place on the disputed territory.

“This is unacceptable, and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter. India reserves the right to suitably respond to such action,” India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi instructed reporters.

The three gamers had been to depart for Chengdu, China, on Thursday night time. The Indian authorities requested your entire Indian staff – together with those that obtained common visas – to place their journey plans on maintain, Indian media reported. The Indian staff for World University Games is being despatched by the Association of Indian Universities.

In 2011, the Chinese Embassy issued stapled visas to 5 karate gamers from Arunachal Pradesh state for a championship within the Chinese metropolis of Quanghou. In 2013, two younger archers had been stopped from participating within the Youth World Archery Championship for a similar cause.

On the bottom, the so-called Line of Actual Control separates Chinese and Indian-held territories, from the area of Ladakh within the west to India’s jap state of Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims in its entirety. India and China fought a struggle over their border in 1962.

In latest years, troopers from each side have patrolled areas alongside the disputed border. Opposing troopers usually come into contact and the 2 Asian giants have accused one another of sending troops into the opposite’s territory.