India calls China's claim on cancellation of joint stamp launch 'factually incorrect'

After China cancelled plans to jointly launch commemorative stamp with India to celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations on December 8,  Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement stating that China's take that India h not given "feedback" for launch was "factually incorrect". 

Taking to Twitter, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava during his weekly briefing said, "Joint release of commemorative stamp to mark 70thy anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and China was one of activities agreed with Chinese side last year. However, re h been no discussion on any launch date with any Chinese authorities for this activity."

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India: 'Chinese claim on cancellation is factually incorrect'

Stating that MEA has seen Chinese embassy's tweet suggesting that event of jointly launching commemorative stamp was cancelled by Chinese side on account of no feedback from  Indian side before launch agreed by both is incorrect.

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This statement by  Ministry of External Affairs came after Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Rong, in a tweet on Wednesday wrote, "Regarding cancellation of joint issue of a commemorative stamp to mark 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China & India, reason is Indian side h not given feedback before launch time agreed by both sides. China State Post Bureau me notice according to customary practices."

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While clarifying furr on  cancellation by Chinese side, India said that two countries decided a series of events to celebrate 70th anniversary, but joint events have not begun yet. Anurag Srivastava said, "It may also be noted that launch of 70th-anniversary celebrations itself has not taken place yet, and refore, issue of going ahe with joint activities under its ambit does not arise."

joint release of commemorative stamps was one of activities listed by both countries.  celebrations were initially hit by breakout of Coronavirus in December last year in central Chinese city of Wuhan which later snowballed into a pandemic. According to media reports, stamp was to be on Mogao Caves, a renowned site in China’s Gansu province where Buddhist grottoes reflect ancient Sino-Indian cultural links.

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