Indian diplomat to skip Beijing Winter Olympics
India says China has politicised Games by honouring PLA soldier
Terming it “regrettable” and lambasting China for “politicising” the Beijing Winter Olympics by honouring a military commander involved in the Galwan Valley clashes as its torchbearer for the mega sporting event, India on Thursday announced that its Charge d' Affaires (CdA) in the Beijing embassy will not attend the opening or closing ceremony of the Games in the Chinese capital.
In another matter, after allegations surfaced that Arunachal youth Miram Taron was beaten up and given electric shocks while in Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) custody recently before being returned, India also said it had taken up the matter with China.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) regiment commander, identified as Qi Fabao, involved in the June 15, 2020 clash with India in Galwan Valley was chosen by China to carry the Winter Olympic torch in Beijing.
The eastern Ladakh border row escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020.
It is understood that the China had extended invitations to the Indian CdA to attend the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Games but these invitations have now been declined in view of Beijing's actions.
Responding to questions on the issue at his weekly briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Yes, we have seen the reports on this issue. It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like Olympics. I wish to inform that the Charge d'Affaires (CdA) of the Embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.”
It may be recalled that India had a few weeks ago announced that its senior diplomat Pradeep Kumar Rawat — an IFS officer of the 1990 batch — would be its next ambassador to China succeeding Mr Vikram Misri.
On the matter pertaining to 17-year-old youth Miram Taron from Arunachal Pradesh who went missing and ended up in Chinese military custody during which he was alleged to have been beaten up and given electric shocks, the MEA spokesperson confirmed that India had taken up the matter with China. Taron was subsequently handed back to India by the Chinese PLA.