India joined the list of countries boycotting Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 but with a different reason

Once again India-China animosity became apparent during the opening ceremony of winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing. Decision to involve People’s Liberation Army soldier as a torchbearer who in 2020 were a part of Galwan conflict with Indian soldiers, that caused several casualties on both the sides. India announced diplomatic boycott of the games right before the opening ceremony. Skier Arif Khan is a single athlete participating in games and representing India in Winter Olympics 2022. Doordarshan, a public service broadcaster announced to not cover opening and closing ceremonies live of the games.  

India called it regrettable after Chinese media identified one of the torchbearers as Qi Fabao, a People’s Liberation Army regiment commander who was honored by military for Galwan clashes where he was injured. The situation is looked upon as a serious matter and thus New Delhi announced its first ever diplomatic boycott of games. This has eventually raised tensions among Indian and Chinese administration. Galwan clash is a considered matter for India that led to some serious steps taken by administration, keeping in mind safety and security of soldiers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even visited Galwan valley to boost morale of Indian soldiers after later in 2020. Although India lends support earlier to Winter Olympic games, several countries led by US decided to boycott it.

Political advisor and a panelist, Gajendra Gehlot is appreciating the decision despite knowing the debate it may cause globally. Mr. Gehlot supported the decision taken by India to take a stand with Indian soldiers. He said, ‘Yes I understand, the Olympic games has nothing to do with political stands and diplomatic strategies, but decision to field Chinese commander as a torchbearer who was involved in Galwan clash is a straight insult of our Indian soldiers, and India’s stand to not support it was required.’ He further added that it was wrong from their side to involve People’s Liberation Army regiment commander involved in Galwan clash in an opening ceremony, at a very first place.

On asking is boycotting is the only right decision to give back to China, Mr. Gehlot said, ‘Right now this is the only way to give it back to China. Since nothing has been directed straight, we have our right to go cold but clear. Our disappointment and anger have to be communicated to the world but in a subtle and a diplomatic way keeping in mind multiple other aspects.’ After the Chinese administration was surrounded by numerous questions, Chinese Foreign Ministry came forward to defend its decision and asked India to not go deeper into the situation from political angle and view this in a rational and objective light. In a brief statement made by spokesperson Zhao Lijian in a press conference said, ‘I want to stress that the torchbearers of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games are broadly representative, and they meet relevant standards. We hope that the relevant sides can view this in a rational and objective light and do not read too much into it from a political perspective’.

According to advisor Mr. Gehlot, ‘Definitely they will clear the air because Galwan clash was not secretive that had no eyes on. Everybody saw it, read about it globally. It is a matter of question and to guard themselves, the clarification was apparent.’ He told EAT news that this is the same China who looks into everything from a political perspective and brings enmity after digging deeper. West countries officials of US, Canada, Australia and UK already have decided to boycott opening ceremony of winter Olympic games 2022 due to the violation of human rights. After the decision China blamed them for politicizing the games.

US applauded India for its move to boycott Olympic games and declared the event as ‘heinous human rights abuses and col-blooded effort to turn games 2022 into a political victory lap’. In a statement given by US Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Chairman assured to stand with all countries with a same motive. It said, ‘I applaud India for joining diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. We stand with all countries that reject the CCP’s heinous human rights abuses & cold-blooded effort to turn Olympics 2022 into a political victory lap.” According to the information, when spokesperson of Olympic games Zhao Weidong was asked about human rights issue and if it has affected games in any way, he said, ‘The so-called China human rights issue is a lie made up by people with the ulterior motives.’ The issue is raised because of the treatment of Muslim Uyghurs in its Xinjiang region and China’s rights record.

Number of countries that are boycotting Beijing Winter Olympic games 2022 are Lithuania, Australia, Britain, Canada, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, US. Will it affect athlete Arif Khan who is participating solo to represent India there, Mr. Gehlot said, ‘No not at all. It is a diplomatic stand taken by delegates for a reason. It will not affect his performance or his eligibility in the games. Instead, we are supporting him and wish him good luck to give his best at Winter Olympic Games 2022’.