New Delhi [India], Nov. 17 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that the government has taken up with China the issue of visa denial to Bamang Tago, a resident of Arunachal Pradesh and manager of the Indian badminton team which is to travel to Fuzhou for a sports event, and expressed hoped that Beijing will address it in the spirit of reciprocity and smooth development of bilateral relations.
"This matter has been brought to our notice now. The government's position on differential treatment of Indian passport holders is clear and well known.
We have conveyed it to the Chinese side. We expect them to address this issue in the spirit of reciprocity and smooth development of bilateral relations," MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Tago, who was denied visa for the China Super Series Premier Badminton Tournament, had earlier approached the MEA.
He was denied visa by the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi "on ground of Arunachal domicile". China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of southern Tibet and routinely protests visits by Indian leaders, foreign officials as well as the Dalai Lama to the area.
Source: ANI