Masood Azhar issue: India gives permission to WUC members to visit Dalai Lama

NEW DELHI: Playing the Uyghur card for the first time ever in the backdrop of China's hardened stand on Masood Azhar, chief of banned JeM, India has given permission of members of World Uyghur Congress (WUC) to visit Tibetan leader Dalai Lama end of April and early May.

A team from Washington-based WUC would visit Dharmasala between April 28-May 1 to meet The Dalai Lama, informed sources indicated. They have been issued visas to travel here. WUC vice-president Omer Kanat and president of Uyghur American Association Ilshat Hassan would be visiting India, according to WUC sources.

China alleges that WUC supports secessionist & terrorist movement in Xinjiang region of the country. However, WUC claims that they protest human rights violation in the restive region of China bordering Central Asia and Pakistan. Beijing also accuses WUC to maintain link with Tibetan movement and their leaders.

India has raised the issue of China's veto to Delhi's bid at UN to ban Masood Azhar at the level of Defence Minister, Foreign Minister and NSA talks besides at New York and Delhi. China has said it will work with India on the issue.