Tit for tat: After China’s Azhar snub, Uyghurs get Indian visa

China has protested in strong terms New Delhi’s decision to allow Uyghur activists to come to India to meet Dalai Lama in a move meant to up the ante against Beijing at a time when it has stonewalled India’s attempt to designate Pathankot mastermind Masood Azhar a global terrorist.

On Friday, MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup tried to wriggle out of taking a public stand, saying, “We have seen the media reports, and the external affairs ministry is trying to ascertain the facts.” In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswonan Hua Chunying retorted, “What I want to point out is that Dolkun (World Uyghur Congress member Dolkun Isa) is a terrorist in red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is the due obligation of relevant countries.”

is a Germany-based activist, and he will be joined on the visit by some others from the Washington office. a group of activists from the Washington-based World Uyghur Congress is expected to visit Dalai Lama in Dharamsala for an inter-ethnic/inter-faith dialogue organized by the spiritual leader. They will join groups from around 15 countries in a US Institute of Peace (USIP) programme. According to the thinktank, “USIP and the Dalai Lama will host a dialogue with … peacebuilders … (which) will help them build practical skills and personal resilience they need to work against the tensions or violence in their homelands.” India had denied a visit by Uyghur activist Rebiya Kadeer in 2009.

India’s retaliatory diplomacy comes after China decided to put a technical “hold” on Masood Azhar’s terror designation. In fact, China, when pressed for a response, asked India to consult Pakistan, which India felt was disingenuous. The fact that Pakistan continues to use terrorism as a political tool against India also means Islamabad allows terrorists like Masood Azhar and LeT chief Hafiz Saeed a free run in its country. This week, social media was abuzz with pictures of Saeed addressing students at a Pakistan university.

Meanwhile, at the UN, Indian officials are preparing another list of terrorists, from Pakistan as well as other countries, including India, to put China on the mat, challenging Beijing’s political expediency as a result of its close ties with Pakistan.

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