beijing: Indian diplomats to boycott Olympics over China’s torchbearer

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NEW DELHI: The Indian mission in Beijing will not participate in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, which officially kicks off on Friday, the government announced on Thursday. The decision followed the revelation on Wednesday that a PLA regiment commander involved in the June 2020 Galwan clashes was a torchbearer at the Olympics.

The soldier identified as Qi Fabao, is reportedly a regimental commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and was grievously wounded during the 2020 border skirmish with Indian troops in the Galwan Valley.

India described as regrettable China’s decision to fete the military commander at an international event and accused Beijing of politicising the Winter Olympics. Twenty Indian soldiers had died in the Galwan clash in which the Chinese side also suffered considerable casualties.

While India hasn’t boycotted Beijing 2022, the government also hasn’t sent any high-level delegation to attend any Olympics ceremony. The charge d’affaires, the top Indian diplomat in Beijing who was expected to represent the country, will also now skip the opening and closing ceremonies.
“It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics. I wish to inform that the charge d’affaires of the embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

India has also lodged a protest with China over the treatment meted out to an Arunachal youth by the PLA after he was apparently abducted. The official confirmed India had taken up the issue with the Chinese authorities.
Miram Taron, 17, was allegedly abducted by the Chinese army on January 18 from Lungta Jor area near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh when he was on a “hunting trip” with his friend Johny Yaying. Taron has said that he was tortured by the Chinese forces and was even given electric shocks.
The Chinese army handed over Miram to the Indian Army on January 27 at the Wacha-Damai interaction point at Kibithu in Anjaw district. Miram’s father Opang Taron said his son was tied and blindfolded while in the custody of the PLA and that he was kicked around and given mild electric shock.

Skier Arif Khan is the only athlete representing India at the Winter Olympics. He is accompanied by Chef De Mission Harjinder Singh and support staff.
Global Times had reported on Wednesday that a PLA regiment commander, Qi Fabao, who sustained a head injury while fighting “bravely” during the Galwan clash with India, was a torchbearer at the Olympics.

China till now has not disclosed the actual number of its casualties in Galwan, though it did later admit to losing a battalion commanding officer and four others.

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