Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) : Secretary of Tourism Ministry Arvind Singh has claimed that the largest number of delegates have already registered to attend the three-day G20 summit in Srinagar, which will start today. "For logistical concerns, some countries are not coming. We are happy that there will be a sizable number of delegates, even if it necessitated some alterations to the schedule. Singapore is sending the largest delegation," he said.
G20 Coordinator Harshvardan Shringla emphasized the significance of the summit by saying, "We are halfway through and have completed over 118 meetings so far. There was a lot of construction going on in Srinagar a few months ago, but the city has dramatically changed since then."
"We made an effort to include all pertinent tourism-related topics in the conference. Many attempts are being made to sanitize public perception of the G20. Jammu and Kashmir is known for its film tourism," he continued. He added that the meeting's goal is to promote and revitalise Jammu and Kashmir's culture, heritage, and tourism.
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"For Jammu and Kashmir, this will be the most important event. We are happy with the number of international delegates that attended this meeting." On the travel warnings for Kashmir, he said: "Travel warnings are meaningless. Everyone can go anyplace, thus we'll also be concentrating on bringing visitors from abroad to Kashmir.
Since the G20 meeting is taking place in Kashmir, the civil and police administration is geared up for the event. Local sightseeing and shikhara ride on the Dal Lake in Srinagar is included in the proposed itinerary for the delegates. Over 180 individuals, including international delegations and selected Indian officials, will attend the sessions at the Sher Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), which is located on the shore of Dal Lake.
The majority of these attendees will be staying at Srinagar's Taj Vivanta and Lalit Grand Palace. Additionally, artists from Jammu and Kashmir would perform for the delegates. In order to give visiting delegates a taste of Kashmiri culture before the G20 meeting in Kashmir, the walls along the roads leading to the SKICC, where the international delegates are due to assemble, are being painted like a bride.
Large-scale security measures are in place throughout Kashmir to ensure that operations go without incident. Yesterday, the Quick Action Team (QAT) and Water Wing of the paramilitary CRPF conducted a combined simulated practice on Dal Lake's waters. Similar security drills were also carried out on the lake on Friday by Marine Commandos (MORCOS).
Pertinently, India took up the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, and would maintain the position for a year. The first G20 Tourism Working Group meeting took place in Gujarat's Rann of Kutch in February, while the second meeting took place in Siliguri, West Bengal, from April 1 to 3.
