Separate visa prevents Kashmiri professor from visiting China

Noted Kashmiri scientist Shakil A Romshoo was prevented by immigration officials from travelling to Beijing to receive the prestigious Kasumigaura International Award for his pioneering work on pollution modelling of Himalayan Lakes.

Romshoo, an associate professor at the University of Kashmir, was scheduled to receive the award at the 13th World Lake Conference at Wuhan in China on Monday. But he was stopped by Indian immigration authorities at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Sunday as the visa granted by the Chinese embassy did not give his nationality as an Indian, continuing the trend of China disputing that Kashmiris are Indians. 

This comes days after prime minister Manmohan Singh met Chinese premier Wen Jiabao in Thailand and agreed to build trust and understanding in their bilateral relationship.

“I was offloaded from China Southern Airlines by immigration authorities. I could not make it to China to receive this award as China is disputing the citizenship of Kashmiris holding Indian passports and issues visas on a separate document that Indian immigration does not accept,” Romshoo said from New Delhi.

“The issue needs to be taken (up) by India with China. I was to receive a prestigious award, while it could be much worse for others...like the question of their career,” the academic said.

Despite India’s protests, Chinese embassy officials say that separate visas issued to J&K citizens are correct and valid. The tussle between China and India over the separate visas being issued to Kashmiris has been affecting the state’s business and career prospects.