Indian diplomats to boycott opening or closing ceremony of Beijing Olympics

The Government of India has decided not to participate in the opening and closing ceremony of Winter Olympics 2022 to be held in Beijing claiming that ‘China politicized the Galwan clash where dozens of Indian soldiers were killed by the Chinese sides.

There have been widespread reports in India media that China has chosen as torchbearer a soldier who fought in Ladakh's Galwan Valley against Indian troops in 2020, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a close encounter.

India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release today confirmed that the Indian chargé d'affaires in China won’t participate in the opening and closing ceremony of the event. Answering the queries of journalists about Galwan soldiers being honored as torchbearer in the Olympic, Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the ministry called it “regrettable” acknowledging they have seen reports on the issues. “The Chinese side has chosen to politicize an event like the Olympics. I wish to inform you that our chargé d'affaires of the embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympics.”

Various Indian media citing Chinese media said that Qi Fabao, a regiment commander in the People's Liberation Army who fought the Indian Army in Galwan Valley, 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, skier Arif Mohammad Khan, will be participating in the Winter Olympics beginning  tomorrow.

Meanwhile, India’s national broadcaster Doordarshan said it will not live telecast the opening or closing ceremony.