China issues stapled visa to athletes in Arunachal Pradesh, India hits back
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New Delhi: India has registered ‘strong protest’ against China for issuing stapled visa to some sportspersons in Arunachal Pradesh.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Friday ‘asserted’ that the country has the right to ‘suitably respond’ to China’s move, NDTV reported.
Begchi added that the government took note of China’s issuance of stapled visa to some Indian citizens who are to participate in the international sporting event in China representing India.
‘This is unacceptable and we have lodged our strong protest with the Chinese side reiterating our consistent position on the matter and India reserves the right to suitably respond to such actions,’ Bagchi reportedly said.
He made the comments to media when asked if China issued stapled visa to Indian sportspersons in Arunachal Pradesh.
‘Our long-standing and consistent position is that there should be no discrimination or differential treatment on the basis of domicile or ethnicity in the visa regime for Indian citizens holding valid Indian passports,’ Bagchi was further quoted as saying.