India To Boycott Opening And Closing Ceremonies Of Beijing Winter Olympics After China Picked Galwan Soldier As Torch-Bearer

India has decided to not attend the opening or closing cermony of the Beijing Winter Olympics after China's "regrettable" decision to field a military officer involved in the Galwan valley clash as a torchbearer for the games, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday (3 February).

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the Chinese side has chosen to politicise an event like the Olympics and that the Charge d'Affaires of the Indian embassy in Beijing will not be attending the opening or the closing ceremony.

The charge d'affaires at the embassy is the senior-most diplomat at present as ambassador-designate Pradeep Kumar Rawat is yet to take charge.

'We have seen the reports on this issue. It is indeed regrettable that the Chinese side has chosen to politicize an event like the Olympics. I wish to inform that our Charge’ d’Affaires of the Embassy of India in Beijing will not be attending the opening nor the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.,' Bagchi said at a press conference.

India's decision comes after Qi Fabao, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) regiment commander involved in the June 15, 2020 clash with India in Galwan Valley, was chosen by China to carry the Winter Olympic torch in Beijing on Wednesday.

Following the MEA's announcement, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati said that Doordarshan's sports channels will not live telecast the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

(With inputs from PTI)