In response to some local news reports, India denied that it has issued orders to local airlines to block Chinese nationals from boarding planes bound for India.
The Times of India reported Monday that the Indian government had asked airlines informally to turn away Chinese passport holders at the gate.
The report mentioned that the move was "a strong retaliatory push" against China as earlier Indian crews on ships were stranded at Chinese ports amid a trade dispute between China and Australia.
According to the Indian press report, New Delhi instructed some airlines to not fly in Chinese nationals boarding from third countries. Indian airline sources said they asked local authorities to supply a written notice that could be shared with Chinese passengers. The sources also said most Chinese nationals were flying in from Europe during the pandemic.
New Delhi denied the report Monday.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said "no such direction" came from the government, India.com reported.
In June, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley, a disputed area of the border. India subsequently banned TikTok and dozens of other Chinese apps, citing "national security and defense of India."
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