Has India hit back, given visa to China ‘terrorist’

Has India retaliated against China for Beijing’s decision to block New Delhi’s move at the UN to get terror outfit JeM’s chief, Masood Azhar, banned by the world body Reports of an invitation with grant of an Indian visa to a leading Chinese dissident and Uyghur activist to participate in a conference in Dharamsala next week could trigger a diplomatic stand-off between India and China. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said it was ascertaining the facts of the case but refused to comment further.

According to news agency reports, Dolkun Isa, a leader of the World Uyghur Congress who lives in Germany, has been invited to the conference being organised by the US-based “Initiatives for China”. Uyghurs and many other Chinese dissidents in exile are expected to attend and discuss democratic transformation in China.

China’s unhappiness about reports that Dolkun has been given an Indian visa was reflected in Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying being quoted in Beijing as saying, “What I want to point out is that Dolkun is a terrorist in red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police (sic). Bringing him to justice is due obligation of relevant countries.”

The MEA said, “We have seen the media reports and the ministry is trying to ascertain the facts.”