NB Explains | G20 in Srinagar: A first global event begins since J&K became a Union Territory

NewsBharati    22-May-2023 10:43:20 AM
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G20 in Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar is all set to host the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting on Monday, all preparation has been put in place and security has been kept on high alert as this is the first major international event after Jammu and Kashmir's special status was scrapped in 2019.
 
G20 in Srinagar
 
Key Meeting
 
A massive security blanket has been thrown around Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, which is hosting the third G20 tourism working group meeting under India's presidency from today.
Elite Navy commandos, the National Security Guard (NSG), Army and other central security forces have been deployed as part of a ground-to-air security blanket in Jammu and Kashmir's capital Srinagar ahead of a G-20 meeting on Monday.
 
Ground-to-air security
 
For this three-day G20 Summit, from May 22-24, Kashmir is under a three-tier security grid for aerial surveillance drone monitoring is put in place.
 
Marine Commandos or Marcos of the Indian Navy have been tasked with securing the Dal Lake surrounding the meeting venue -- Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre.
 
NSG personnel, known as Black Cats, sanitised the city. They were also involved in area domination drills along with central police forces and local cops.
 
The Army and the NSG have deployed their anti-drone weapons to thwart any aerial threats.
While there will be no restrictions on public movement public in Srinagar all shops and business establishments are open to welcome the G20 summit guest. People from different sectors welcome the delegates and believe that this G20 summit meeting give a boost to the development of Jammu and Kashmir in all fields and boost the tourism sector on an international level which boosts the economy of the Union Territory.
 
A strategic opportunity
 
The meeting will be the first significant international event in J&K since the Centre stripped the erstwhile state of special powers and turned it into a Union Territory in 2019.
 
Indian authorities are hoping the meeting will show that the administrative changes have brought "peace and prosperity" to the region.
 
As of now, the G20 Working group meeting in Jammu and Kashmir will focus on five key priority areas: Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, MSMEs and Destination Management.
 
The meeting aims to strengthen economic growth, preserve cultural heritage and promote sustainable development of the region.
 
The event will witness the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organizations, and industry stakeholders.
 
Tourism boost
 
The tourism industry has played a crucial role in J&K's development. However, years of instability have impacted the tourism industry, leading to a decline in the number of visitors. For the first time in the history of J&K, a record 1.88 crore tourists visited the UT in 2022.
 
But...
 
China and Pakistan have objected to India holding a G20 meeting in what they called a "disputed territory".
 
Pakistan recently slammed India's decision to host a G20 meeting in Srinagar and parts of Kashmir as an "irresponsible move".
 
Rejecting Pakistan's criticism, India had said G20 meetings are being organized in the entire country and hence it is "natural" to hold meetings in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as "these are inalienable parts of India."
 
"G20 meetings are being organized in entire India, in all cities and parts of India. It is therefore natural to hold the meetings in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh because these are inalienable parts of India," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during the MEA Weekly Media Briefing. "That is what I would like to say. The meetings are being held in all parts of India, that is our natural response," the MEA official spokesperson said.
 
China has also objected to India holding a G20 meeting and will not attend it. New Delhi has rejected such remarks, asserting that it was India's prerogative to host meetings in any part of the country.