STAPLED VISA

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Context

• Three wushu players from Arunachal Pradesh were issued ‘stapled visas’ by the Chinese embassy ahead of the World University Games in Chengdu.

What is a ‘stapled visa’?

• A ‘stapled visa’ is a visa that is attached to a separate piece of paper instead of being stamped directly in the passport.
• The Chinese government began issuing ‘stapled visas’ to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh in 2009.
• The Chinese government says that it issues ‘stapled visas’ to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh because it does not recognize India’s claim over the state.
• The Indian government says that the ‘stapled visa’ issue is a political tool that China uses to assert its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

Why did China issue ‘stapled visas’ to the three Wushu players?

• The Chinese government did so in order to send a message to the Indian government about its claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

Issue

• The ‘stapled visa’ issue is a sensitive one for both India and China.
• The Indian government has expressed its displeasure at China’s decision to issue ‘stapled visas’ to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Chinese government has said that it will continue to issue ‘stapled visas’ to Indian citizens from Arunachal Pradesh until India recognizes China’s claim over the state.
• The ‘stapled visa’ issue is a reminder of the ongoing dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh. The dispute has the potential to escalate into a conflict between the two countries.

Note: China claims nearly 90,000 square kilometres of area in Arunachal Pradesh and calls it Zangnan or South Tibet. New Delhi rejects China’s claim and says the entire state of Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and assigning "invented" names does not alter this reality.

READ:

India-China-Border-Dispute-Arunachal-Pradesh:https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/india-china-border-dispute-arunachal-pradesh-on

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following best describes the meaning of “Stapled Visa”? 1.    It is a type of visa granted to foreign nationals for attending a conference/seminar or workshop in India. 2.    It is a type of visa issued for changing flights and traveling to another country. 3.    It is a type of visa granted to a foreign national who wishes to come to India for Remunerative employment/ Intra-company transfers in the company. 4.    It is a visa that is attached to a separate piece of paper instead of being stamped directly in the passport.   Answer 4. It is a visa that is attached to a separate piece of paper instead of being stamped directly in the passport.

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