Asian Games 2023: Anurag Thakur cancels his scheduled visit to China after three Arunachal athletes denied entry

Union Minister Anurag Thakur has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Asian Games, after Chinese authorities denied the entry to Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has also issued a statement stating that "in line with our long-standing and consistent position, India firmly rejects differential treatment of Indian citizens on the basis of domicile or ethnicity. Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India."

Government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interests.


"Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports of India has cancelled his scheduled visit to China for the Games. Government of India reserves the right to take suitable measures to safeguard our interests." the statement read.

The three women wushu fighters are from the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region claimed almost in full by Beijing as "South Tibet".

Wushu, or kung fu, is a multi-disciplinary martial art originating in China.