New Delhi: An Indian diplomat has decided to boycott the opening and closing ceremony of Winter Olympics in Beijing, where China has chosen as torchbearer a soldier who fought in Ladakh's Galwan Valley against Indian troops in 2020. China's move to distinguish a soldier from Galwan, where 20 Indian soldiers died, at the Games is considered provocative by many. The foreign ministry today called it "regrettable" while announcing the diplomat's decision.
"We have seen the reports on this issue. It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics," the foreign ministry said today.
"I wish to inform that our Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony of the Beijing '22 Winter Olympics," the ministry added.
Qi Fabao, a regiment commander in the People's Liberation Army who sustained a serious head injury during the fighting, was among the 1,200 torchbearers in the Games. He was feted as a hero by the Chinese state media which reported his inclusion in the games.
Only one athlete from the country -- skier Arif Mohammad Khan --- is participating in the Winter Olympics which begin tomorrow.
Shortly after the foreign ministry's announcement, national broadcaster Doordarshan said it will not live telecast the opening or closing ceremony.
"Consequent to the announcement by @meaindia, @ddsportschannel will not telecast live the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics being held in Beijing," tweeted Shashi Shekhar Vempati, the chief of Prasar Bharati.
Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the clash in Galwan in June 2020 -- a first in nearly six decades. The stand-off it created is yet to be resolved.
This week, an Australian daily reported that Beijing lost 42 soldiers in the clash -- at least nine times more than the four deaths it has acknowledged.
The report in "The Klaxon" by a group of social media researchers said at least 38 soldiers died while attempting to cross the fast-flowing Galwan River in the early stages of the clash. The soldiers were crossing the river in sub-zero temperatures and in darkness.