China denies visa to IAF officer

China has refused visa to an IAF officer, part of a visiting military delegation, as he hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing stakes claim to. New Delhi has cancelled the visit.

China has refused visa to an IAF officer, part of a visiting military delegation, as he hails from Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing stakes claim to. New Delhi has cancelled the visit.

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Group Capt Mohonto Panging, a fighter pilot, was part of a 30-member tri-service delegation that was to head to China next week under a bilateral defence exchange initiative.

Chinese visa has been a constant irritant in bilateral ties. It has in the past issued stapled visas to the residents of Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh.