Modi deserves credit for India's 'U-turn' on Chinese 'terrorist' Dolkun Isa

India, on April 23, cancelled the visa which was granted to Chinese dissident leader Dolkun Isa earlier in the month. Dolkun, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) leader, was supposed to visit Dharamsala and take part in a conference being organised by the US-based "Initiatives for China" on April 30 and meet the Dalai Lama.

Though the cancellation of visa is being touted as an embarrassment for India and a case of buckling under pressure from China, it may not be the case.

The Indian government can be faulted on two counts.

Firstly - and though this may be unbelievable - before issuing the e-visa, it did not verify that Isa was on Interpol's Red Corner Notice.

But this theory of there being a technical glitch cannot be believed because India must have checked the credentials of someone like Isa, who is considered a "terrorist" by China. It must have known that it would have to withdraw the visa if China objects to it on the ground of the Red Corner Notice.

Moreover, India issued tourist visa instead of business visa to Isa, knowing fully well that he was coming to address a conference. The Centre must have known that he was coming to address the controversial conference. It cannot be so naive that it will overlook this aspect of diplomacy.

In spite of this, the Indian government issued the visa to the dissident Chinese leader, though it was aware that China would object to it and raise the issue with Interpol, forcing India to withdraw the visa. The BJP-led NDA government at the Centre is facing flak now.

However, those trying to put the Narendra Modi government in the dock over this issue may be off the mark. Because, it may eventually turn out that this step was neither a blunder on the part of India, nor was there any technical glitch.

On April 1, China vetoed the UN's bid to declare Pakistan national and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a terrorist. And within days, India issued the visa to Isa (on April 6). Hence, in all likelihood, this episode may turn out to be a calculated and strategic step by the government to settle a deal with China.

Or, the following may have been the Modi government's objective, in which it has largely been successful:

1. It has exposed China's double standards on terrorism. While the communist country vetoes any move to have the JeM chief declared a terrorist, it protests when importance is attached to its own "terrorist" Isa.

2. India's purpose has been achieved. It has hit China where it hurts. The Modi government should not be seen to be taking things lying down.

It shows that China has felt the pinch. Henceforth, it should make China wary of taking India for granted.