'China has politicized Winter Olympics': Indian diplomats to boycott Olympics over China’s torchbearer

New Delhi, Feb 4: After China chose a PLA commander injured in Galwan clash for 2022 Winter Olympics torch relay, India expressed regret that Beijing has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics. It further informed that the Indian mission in Beijing will not participate in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

 

Notably, 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 you that our charge d'affaires of the embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympics," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing.

 

 

The 2022 Winter Olympics will take place in Beijing from February 4 to 20. The US, UK and Canada are among countries that have declared a diplomatic boycott of the Games. Besides, a US lawmaker on Wednesday slammed China for choosing the PLA commander for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics torch relay.

 

 

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. Speaking of the new report on Galwan Valley clash, an Australian investigative newspaper has revealed that hat China is hiding its losses in the Galwan Valley clash with India.

 

The new research has shown that the PLA lost at least nine times more soldiers than its official count of four. It means that at least 38 PLA troops drowned while crossing a fast-flowing, sub-zero river in darkness, according to an article in the 'The Klaxon' which cited a report prepared by a group of social media researchers after a year-long investigation.

 

 

On the other hand, the MEA said that India has also lodged a protest with China over the treatment given 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 abducted by the Chinese army on January 18 from Lungta Jor area near the LAC in Arunachal Pradesh. As reoprted earlier, Taron has said that he was tortured by the Chinese forces and was even given electric shocks. His 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.