New Delhi: Following strong protest from China, India has cancelled visa to dissident Uyghur leader Dolkun Isa who was expected to attend a conference to be held in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.
MEA has reportedly cited Interpol's red corner notice by against Uyghur leader as a possible reason for his visa cancellation.
China on Friday aired its concern over World Uyghur Congress (WUC) leader Dolkun Isa's reported visit to India, saying he is a "terrorist" on Interpol's Red Corner and it is the obligation of all countries to bring him to justice.
Expressing his disappointment on MEA's move, Uyghur leader said," cancellation of my visa to attend the Conference in Dharamsala: India had granted me a tourist e-visa, but it was cancelled after my visit was widely reported in the Indian press."
India's decision to permit WUC leaders whom China regards as backers of terrorism in its volatile Muslim-dominated Xinjiang province was reported to be in response to Beijing's blocking a ban on Jaish-e Muhammad chief Masood Azhar in the UN.
"I am not aware of the situation," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told PTI in a written response when asked about the reports that WUC leaders including Dolkun were given permission to meet the Dalai Lama later this month.
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," Hua said.
Xinjiang, which has over 10 million Uyghur population of Turkik origin Muslims, was on the boil for several years over Uyghur protests against the large-scale settlements of Hans from different part of the country.
China blames East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a militant Islamist group, for terrorist attacks in Xinjiang and other parts of the country.
(PTI inputs)
