Arunachal CM raises stapled visa issue with Khurshid

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki called on Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid last Sunday in New Delhi and expressed his concerns over China repeatedly issuing stapled visas to citizens of his state.

Tuki said the denial of proper visas to two young archers from the state to travel to China to participate in the Youth World Archery Championship at Wuxi, has left the youth, sport bodies and and sportspersons demoralised.

He called on Khurshid to make concerted efforts to introduce confidence building measures through negotiations with the Chinese authorities to overcome the stapled visa issue.

"This incident (of denying travel rights to the two archers) has demoralized not only the two young players, who enjoy top rankings in the country, but also other youths and sports fraternity of the state and region," Tuki said.

He said that at a time when the state government is taking several initiatives to promote sports and youth affairs in accordance with the National Sports Policy, such incidents are a huge dampner.

The chief minister pointed out that citizens of the state are willing to travel to China for multifarious purposes like tourism, business conclaves, student interactions and official tours, but are being denied the opportunity due to the 'stapled visa' controversy.

"The democratic fabric of a nation like India, of which Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part, is threatened by such an attitude from the neighboring country. The repeated denial of natural rights of Arunachalee citizens reflects the inconsistent position of China with respect to the territorial integrity of the state as an integral part of India," Tuki said.

"Therefore, it is high time that the Government of India takes up the matter in right earnest with the Chinese Government at appropriate levels for early resolution of the issue of stapled visas," he added.

Khurshid assured that the matter will be taken up very soon with his Chinese counterpart on a priority basis.

He sympathised with the two young archers, who despite their top rankings and potential, were denied the opportunity to take part in a world archery championship.

Khurshid also assured that he will impress upon the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to take up the matter at the highest level.