India spars with China over visas for Asian Games athletes

Modi's sports minister cancels visit to the host nation in protest

20230922 asian games

The Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the opening ceremony venue for the Asian Games, is lit up during a light show on Sept. 21. © Reuters

KIRAN SHARMA, Nikkei staff writer

NEW DELHI -- Three Indian athletes from a northeastern state claimed by China were unable to travel to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, drawing a furious response from New Delhi and casting a geopolitical shadow over the event.

The three female martial artists hail from Arunachal Pradesh, most of which China considers "South Tibet." Upon learning of their apparent exclusion, India's Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday canceled a planned visit to China.

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