Visa woes bypassed after EAM's intervention, Kishore Jena heads to Budapest Championships

In a commendable display of proactive diplomacy, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly resolved the visa issue faced by Odisha's Javelin thrower, Kishore Jena, after Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra flagged the concern on social media. The obstacle emerged as Kishore Jena geared up to represent India at the World Athletics Championships 2023 scheduled in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 27.

The development happened after Neeraj Chopra's post on X caught the attention of the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar, prompting an immediate response. The EAM instructed MEA officials to urgently engage with the Hungarian Embassy in New Delhi to expedite the visa process for Kishore Jena.

The MEA's strategic intervention yielded positive results. Following the EAM's directive, the Hungarian Embassy promptly granted the visa, clearing the way for Kishore Jena to participate in the international sporting event. With the visa hurdle swiftly overcome, Kishore Jena's departure to Hungary became a reality.

Sources said,"MEA has always been helpful to Indian athletes participating in international competitions." The MEA's lightning-quick response was no isolated incident. The ministry has consistently donned the jersey of support for Indian athletes in global competitions. In recent instances, the MEA expedited visa approvals for Indian representatives at the World Games 2023 in Berlin, the United World Wrestling tournament in Croatia, the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in New Zealand, international chess tournaments, and various badminton tournaments abroad.

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