India visa to Uyghur ‘militant’ angers China

THE CONFERENCE TO WHICH DOLKUN HAS BEEN INVITED WILL BE HELD BETWEEN APRIL 28 AND MAY 1 AT DHARAMSALA

BEIJING: Beijing has reacted angrily to India’s decision to grant a visa to a Germany-based Uyghur activist, branded a terrorist by the Chinese government, to attend a conference on democracy in Dharamsala later this month.

The move comes against the backdrop of China blocking an Indian bid to sanction Pakistanbased Masood Azhar, the head of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, at the UN Security Council.

Munich-based Dolkun Isa, from the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), has been accused of terrorism and conspiracy to kill people in Xinjiang in China’s remote northwest.

He has written to the Indian mission in Munich for an assurance that he won’t be arrested in India as there is an Interpol red corner notice against him.

China’s foreign ministry told Hindustan Times in an email statement late on Thursday: “Dolkun Isa is a terrorist on red notice of Interpol and the Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is a due obligation of relevant countries.”

T he brief reaction was couched in diplomatic language but reflected Beijing’s anger.

On Friday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swar up responded to the Chinese statement by saying that India is “ascertaining the facts”.

India’s move to grant an electronic visa to Dolkun Isa is being perceived as a response to China blocking a ban on Masood Azhar at the UN. China imposed a “technical hold” on the proposed ban, saying more information is needed on the matter.

The conference to which Dolkun has been invited will be held between April 28 and May 1 at Dharamsala, the seat of the Tibetan governmentin-exile, and this has added to Beijing’s unease.

Dolkun, who was granted asylum by Ger many in the late 1990s, confirmed to HT on email that he had received an electronic visa from India and was looking forward to his first visit to the country.

“Yes, I am invited to one of the conference in Dharamsala... I am planning to go, so I have got the electronic visa for India,” he said. Dolkun acknowledged he has to be careful about his travel plans because of the Interpol notice.

“The Chinese government has made me an accused with Interpol and my name is on red (corner) notice. Because of this, I have faced troubles in some countries’ immigration. I was detained at the border of some countries. I have to be careful about travelling except in the European Union,” he said.

Exiled Chinese activists from around the world are expected to attend the conference to discuss democratic transition in China. Dharamsala-based Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, labelled a “separatist” and “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” by China, is expected to address the meet.

The meet is being organised by US-based Citizen Power for China. The group is led by Yang Jianli, who was involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

The Xinjiang region has seen rioting and frequent violence between the local Uyghur population and government forces. Exiled Uyghur activists say the violence is a result of Beijing’s hardline policies and a reaction to the government’s efforts to subsume the unique local culture. Dolkun said India and East Turkistan – the historical name of the region that China says separatist Uyghurs from Xinjiang are fighting for – had good relations.

“I would like to enjoy Indian culture. East Turkistan and India had a long and very good relationship in history. Uyghurs love India’s people,” he said. He added: “India is the world’s largest democratic nation and second big population after China. But China is still under totalitarianism rule. India has the responsibility to teach democracy to China.”

World Uyghur Congress spokesperson Dilxat Raxit said he hoped the Indian government was following the situation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang and would voice its “solidarity with their fight for justice”. The controversy comes at a time top Indian leaders, including external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and national security adviser Ajit Doval, have raised the issue of China blocking India’s bid to sanction Masood Azhar at the UN.

The new row, coupled with the question of Azhar, could cast a shadow on President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to China in late May.