China’s Torchbearer Move: India Envoy Not To Attend Beijing Winter Olympics Ceremonies

New Delhi: The Indian envoy will not be attending the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

This is in protest against China’s decision to honour name a soldier, who had fought against Indian Army in Galwan Valley, as torchbearer of the Olympic flame.

“Regrettable that China has chosen to politicise the Olympics. The Indian envoy will not attend the opening or closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday.

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) regiment commander Qi Fabao, who participated in Wednesday’s torch relay ceremony, had sustained a head injury during the Galwan clash in June 2020.

Indian Army lost 20 soldiers in the violent clashes which took place in eastern Ladakh a year and a half back.

China’s move came in for criticism from the US also.

“It’s shameful that Beijing chose a torchbearer for the Olympics 2022 who’s part of the military command that attacked India in 2020 and is implementing genocide against the Uyghurs. The US will continue to support Uyghur freedoms & the sovereignty of India,” US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch tweeted.