The tourism working group meeting of the G20, which began today in Srinagar, is being attended by various countries. However, China and Turkey have decided not to participate in this crucial meeting held in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
China’s decision is likely influenced by objections from Pakistan, its close ally, who claims that the G20 meetings are intended to support India’s “illegal occupation” of Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin released an official statement expressing China’s opposition to holding any form of G20 meetings on disputed territory and stating that they will not attend such meetings.
It is worth noting that both Pakistan and China have previously made unwarranted references to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, but India has consistently rejected their statements. Additionally, India and China have been involved in a prolonged border standoff in eastern Ladakh for the past three years.
There are media reports suggesting that Turkey may also join China in opposing the G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar. However, no official statement has been released by Turkish officials yet. Turkey has previously criticized the Indian government’s handling of the Kashmir issue.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has deployed troops to patrol the streets of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, in preparation for the G20 tourism meeting. Security has been heightened at vulnerable locations to prevent any potential terrorist attacks during the event.
This meeting holds significance as it is the first diplomatic gathering in the union territory since the Indian central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked its limited autonomy and assumed direct control in 2019. The three-day meeting is taking place at a well-guarded venue on the shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar. The roads leading to the location have been recently renovated, and the electricity poles have been decorated in the colors of India’s national flag, symbolizing the return of normalcy and peace to the region.
India, as the current presidency of the Group of 20, is actively promoting tourism in Kashmir and has planned over 100 meetings across the country throughout the year. Last year, more than a million Indian citizens visited Kashmir.
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