Visa row: Dolkun Isa 'suppressed' facts, says India; denies entry to two others
New Delhi: Accused of bowing to Chinese pressure on Uyghur leader Dolkun Isa, India on Thursday defended its decision to revoke his visa, saying that Isa had 'suppressed' facts while obtaining it. However, it admitted that China had made its position clear to New Delhi that it should honour the Interpol Red Corner notice against him.
India also denied visas to two activists -- Chinese dissident Lu Jinghua and activist Ray Wong -- who were coming to attend a conference in Dharamshala on democracy and China.
Read: India cancels visa of two activists, says information not accurate
"Isa applied for a tourist visa under the electronic travel authorisation system. He was accordingly granted the visa. After obtaining the visa, Isa stated publicly that he was coming to attend a conference in India. A fact which was suppressed in the visa form and something that a tourist visa does not permit," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Read: India cancels visa of Chinese dissident Dolkun Isa
"Further more it came to the notice of authorities that Isa was subject of a Interpol Red Corner notice," he said.
Asked if China had raised its objection on granting of visa to Isa by India, he said, "They made their position clear that Isa has a Interpol Red Corner Notice and all the countries which are member of Interpol should honour that."
Read: Caving in on visa sends bad signal
However, the Spokesperson rejected the charge that visa revocation was done under Chinese pressure, saying the facts were "suppressed" by Isa and that led to revocation of his visa and no other "meaning" should be read into the Indian action.
Visa policies are very clear and if a bonafide applicant obtains visa based on furnishing correct information and after following due process, there will be no cause for any revocation, he added.
Read: India issues visa to Uyghur 'terrorist' Dolkun Isa, China fumes
The visa to Isa, a leader of World Uyghur Congress (WUC) who lives in Germany and had been invited for the conference being organised by US-based 'Initiatives for China' from today, was cancelled earlier this week. The India action was seen by many as buckling under the Chinese pressure.
