Visa to 'terrorist' Uyghur leader sparks India-Chi row

New Delhi, April 22: A diplomatic row of sorts has begun between India and Chi with an Indian visa being given to Uyghur Chinese leader Dolkun Isa to attend a major conference of exiled dissidents to be held from 28 April to 1 May in Dharamsala.

With Chi obstructing New Delhi's proposal to term Pakistan-based Jaish-e Mohammad Chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist in UN, India has retaliated by granting a visa to a Chinese dissident leader whom Beijing calls a terrorist.

Isa is a Germany-based Uyghur activist and Chi accuses him of carrying on terror activities in Xinjiang region.

According to NDTV, Isa said he has a visa to visit India next week for a conference to be held in Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama is also likely to attend the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) conference. "I haven't decided whether to come to India or not," he said.

Hua Chunying, the Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that there was Interpol Red Corner Notice against Isa and bringing him in is an obligation of relevant countries.

Isa said: "Chi has put me on Interpol list since 1997. Most countries have just ignored it. India is a democracy. I don't think I'll be arrested but I don't want any difficulties either." Isa was given asylum in Germany in the 1990s.

There are more than 10 million Uyghur population of Turkik-origin Muslims in Xinjiang. The region has been witnesssing Han Chinese settlements in the region leading to Uyghur protests over several years.

Chi blames East Turkistan Islamic Movement for terrorist attacks in Xinjiang territory.