India’s Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

The Ministry of External Affairs officially announced the diplomatic boycott of Beijing winter Olympics of India. Doordarshan will not telecast the opening and closing ceremonies of Beijing Winter Olympics.

About the boycott

India will not send its envoy to the opening and closing ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics. However, India will send an athlete to attend the ceremonies. Earlier, India had supported Beijing Olympics. India also supported China for conducting winter Olympics during BRICS summit. India is withdrawing its support now for Chinese annoying actions.

Why is India boycotting the Olympics?

China has chosen the army officer Qi Fabao as the torch bearer. Qi Fabao was involved in the Galwan valley clashes between India and China in 2020. It was one of the bloodiest encounters between the two countries. India is of the view that by choosing Qi Fabao as the torch bearer, China is politicising the Olympics.

Qi Fabao – Hero of China

Qi Fabao sustained injuries in the clash that happened between Indian and Chinese armies on June 15, 2020. At least twenty Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers were killed during the clash. Qi Fabao was severely injured. But he survived. He is now considered a hero in the country. China took eight months to accept the fact that it faced casualties during the clashes.

Controversies

The world countires like USA and other European countries are boycotting China Winter Olympics. They are boycotting over China’s poor human rights record. US is against forced sterilisation campaign and mass detention camps organized against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in China.