After China’s strong objection, India has cancelled its visa to rebel Uyghur leader Dolkun Isa, referring to Interpol’s red corner notice against him.
Isa, a leader of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) who resides in Germany, had been invited to a conference being organised by the US-based ‘Initiatives for China’. Uyghurs and many other Chinese rebels in exile were expected to be a part of the conference in India and talk about democratic transformation in China.
India’s decision to allow WUC leaders whom China regards as supporters of terrorism in its volatile Muslim-dominated Xinjiang province was reported to be a retort to Beijing stalling India’s bid to get Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.
China’s discontent about reports that Dolkun had been allowed the visa was reflected in Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying saying, “What I want to point out is that Dolkun is a terrorist in red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is due obligation of relevant countries.”
When asked about the subject, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said, “We have seen the media reports and external affairs ministry is trying to ascertain the facts.”
Xinjiang, which has more than 10 million Uyghurs of Turkik origin Muslims, has been at unrest for several years. Uyghurs have been against the large-scale inhabitation of Xinjiang by Han Chinese.