Next articles
Olympics
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Asia

India joins diplomatic boycott of Beijing Olympics over role of Chinese soldier from border clash

By
Torch bearer Qi Fabao, a regimental commander in the People's Liberation Army, relays the Olympic flame at the Winter Olympic Park on Feb. 2. (Reuters)
3 min

NEW DELHI — India said Thursday it would join the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of Beijing’s Winter Olympics after China included a soldier who was involved in a deadly border skirmish with Indian troops in the torch relay ahead of the Opening Ceremonies.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said its senior envoy to Beijing will not be attending the Games’ opening or closing events. Leaders who are expected to attend the Friday kickoff at Beijing’s National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, include Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.