India Withdraws Wushu Team from World University Games in Protest Against China’s Stapled Visas

New Delhi, July 28, 2023: India has taken a firm stand against China’s issuance of stapled visas to athletes from Arunachal Pradesh by withdrawing its entire wushu team from the upcoming World University Games in Chengdu. The decision was made as a mark of protest against China’s disregard for India’s sovereignty over the region.

The airport authorities in New Delhi prevented an eight-member wushu contingent, including five athletes, a coach, and two support staff, from boarding their flight to Chengdu just minutes before departure on Thursday midnight. Immigration officials and CISF personnel claimed they were acting on the government’s instructions without providing any specific reason for the action, according to coach Raghvendra Singh.

Notably, the group stopped from boarding did not include athletes from Arunachal Pradesh who were scheduled to travel on a separate flight on Friday, 28 July.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong disapproval of China’s decision, deeming it “unacceptable.” The athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, namely Onilu Tega, Nyeman Wangsu, and Mepung Lamgu, had applied for visas on 16 July, but their applications were not accepted until they resubmitted them on Tuesday, 25 July.

The Chinese embassy returned their passports with stapled visas on Wednesday afternoon, a move that indicates China’s refusal to recognize India’s sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

In response to this latest incident, India made the decision to withdraw the entire wushu team from the World University Games. The use of stapled visas in the past to restrict the participation of athletes from Arunachal Pradesh in international events has been a point of contention between the two countries. China had previously issued stapled visas to karate players and archers from the region, leading to disputes over India’s territorial integrity.

As the World University Games commence, India’s action sends a strong message to China about respecting national sovereignty and upholding principles of fair competition in the sporting arena.