New Delhi, April 22

An invitation to a leading Chinese dissident to participate in a conference in Dharamsala next week could develop into another irritant between India and China.Dolkun Isa, a leader of World Uyghur Congress (WUC) who lives in Germany, has been invited to the conference being organised by the US-based ‘Initiatives for China’. Uyghurs and many other Chinese dissidents in exile are expected to attend and discuss democratic transformation in China.China’s unhappiness about reports that Dolkun has been given the visa was reflected in Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying saying, “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.”When asked about the issue, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup today said, “We have seen the media reports and External Affairs Ministry is trying to ascertain the facts.”Dolkun has been quoted by media as saying he would take a final call on attending the event only after assessing his security in India. — PT

Invited for Dharamsala event

• Dolkun Isa, a leader of World Uyghur Congress who lives in Germany, has been invited for a conference in Dharamsala next week
• Uyghurs and other Chinese dissidents are likely to attend and discuss democratic transformation in China