Tit for tat: India grants visa to Chinese 'terrorist' after Azhar snub

In a move being seen as a retaliatory measure after China blocked listing of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist at the United Nations, India has issued a visa to a German-based Uyghur leader to visit Dharamsala for a conference later this month.

Dolkun Isa, a World Uyghur Congress leader who resides in Germany, has been invited to a conference being organised by US-based ‘Initiatives for China’. China accuses Isa of terror activities in the remote Xinjiang region where there is frequent violence between the local Uyghur population and government forces.

India’s decision evoked a reaction from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, who said, “What I want to point out is that Dolkun is a terrorist on red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is due obligation of relevant countries.”

Meanwhile, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “We have seen media reports and the external affairs ministry is trying to ascertain the facts.”

India's retaliatory diplomacy comes after China decided to put a technical "hold" on Masood Azhar’s terror designation. In fact, when being asked about it, they have repeatedly defended their stance, saying more information was needed on the matter.

Meanwhile, Isa has been quoted as saying that he had already been granted visa by the Indian government for the conference but would take a final call only after assessing his security in India, since China has got a Red Corner Notice issued against him by the Interpol.

New Delhi had in the recent past offered visa to Baloch leader Naela Qadri Baloch, who lives in exile in Canada.

Image: Dolkun Isa, a World Uyghur Congress leader who resides in Germany.