China visa dispute costs Arunachala shot at World Cup

New Delhi: Another sporting flare-up in India-China ties has cost weightlifter Charu Pesi a shot on the world stage, with the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) pulling the Arunachal Pradesh athlete from the upcoming Senior World Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo after Chinese authorities announced he would be granted a stapled visa.Sources told TOI that the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASS) here sought an undertaking from the Indian federation confirming the receipt of the Pesi visa.IWLF consulted government officials who claimed that India does not recognize stapled visas issued by China to Arunachal Pradesh residents. The federation subsequently decided not to send the men’s 65kg weightlifter to the championships, which begin on October 24.An eight-member Indian contingent, led by Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu, is scheduled to compete in Ningbo, with visa processing for the rest of the contingent continuing as usual.Unlike a regular visa with a passport stamp, a stapled visa is issued on a separate sheet of paper. Beijing’s practice of issuing such visas to Arunachal Pradesh residents reflects its refusal to recognize India’s sovereignty over the region. India consistently rejected this practice and considered it a challenge to its territorial integrity.This is far from an isolated incident. In July 2023, three wushu athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, Nyeman Wangsu, Onil Tega and Mepung Lamgu, were granted visas for the Summer World University Games in Chengdu. India protested and withdrew its entire wushu contingent.The dispute resurfaced ahead of the Asian Games in Hangzhou later that year, when athletes faced entry and accreditation barriers that prevented them from competing.It’s a bitter setback for lifters. The championships would offer valuable international exposure, with crucial qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at stake.