STAPLED VISA

1. Context

India's decision to withdraw its eight-athlete wushu contingent from the Summer World University Games in Chengdu on July 28 was driven by China's issuance of stapled visas to three athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, a region claimed by China but under India's sovereignty. The stapled visa issue has been a longstanding point of contention between the two countries, and this incident adds to the ongoing diplomatic tension.

2. About Stapled Visa

• A stapled visa is an unstamped piece of paper attached by a pin or staples to a passport page, as opposed to a regular visa that is affixed and stamped by the issuing authority.
• China has been issuing stapled visas to Indian nationals from Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, which India vehemently rejects as a valid form of documentation.

3. China's Dispute Over Arunachal Pradesh

• China challenges India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and disputes the legality of the McMahon Line, the border agreed upon between Tibet and British India in 1914.
• This disagreement forms the core of Chinese claims over the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and its occasional incursions into Indian territory.

4. Chronology of the Stapled Visa Practice

The issuance of stapled visas by China for residents of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir dates back to the mid-2000s. Here is a timeline of key events:

1. 2005: Chinese media begins referring to Arunachal Pradesh as "South Tibet."
2. Late 2006: China refuses to grant a visa to an Indian government official serving in Arunachal Pradesh.
3. 2008-09: Stapled visas for Jammu and Kashmir residents reportedly start being issued.
4. 2009: A Kashmiri man claims to have received a stapled visa in 2009 and was stopped at an airport.
5. 2010: China denies a visa to Northern Army Commander Lt Gen B S Jaswal due to his posting in "sensitive" Jammu and Kashmir.
6. 2011: Chinese foreign ministry expresses willingness to handle issues related to stapled visas before a meeting between the Indian and Chinese leaders.
7. 2013: Indian weightlifters and archers from Arunachal Pradesh face visa issues due to stapled visas.

5. Impact on Sports and Diplomatic Relations

• The stapled visa dispute has resulted in India's withdrawal of its wushu contingent from the Chengdu games, further straining diplomatic relations between the two nations.
• China's refusal to recognize India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh and its periodic efforts to undermine it through such actions have led to consistent protests from India.

6.The Way Forward

• The stapled visa issue remains a thorny subject in India-China relations, reflecting broader territorial disputes.
• As long as the disagreement over Arunachal Pradesh persists, tensions are likely to continue between the two Asian giants, impacting not only sports but also other aspects of bilateral relations.