Following a report in The Indian Express today on two archers from Sikkim — Sonam Pintso-Lepcha and Bikash Gurung — being denied visas unless they furnished added proof of nationality besides their passports, Visa Counsellor Steven Chung from the Taiwan Trade and Cultural Office called up the AAI officials to convey that they were willing to provide visas to the entire team. The Indian archers were scheduled to compete in the second round of the Asian Grand Prix beginning June 14.

Welcoming the latest development, AAI president Vijay K Malhotra said, “We are hurrying up with the preparations because the boys will have to catch a midnight flight. The authorities are willing to give visas free of cost.”

When contacted, the Visa Counsellor said: “It was a misunderstanding. We have no discrimination against anyone, whether someone comes from Sikkim or any other part of the country. We just asked the AAI to produce additional proof.”

Asked if the Indian passport was not sufficient proof, he replied: “There are more than 30 passport-issuing offices in India. Every time we ask an office to clarify the claim of an individual, they get back very late. In some instances, they don’t even reply to our queries.”

Pointing out that Sikkim has a large Tibetan population, the official said there were instances of Tibetans trying to enter Chinese territory on Indian passports. That was the reason why the Chinese Taipei — as Taiwan is officially known — authorities needed proof. “But now everything is settled and we have issued visas to all the team members,” he said.