New Delhi: Expressing strong reservations over India’s organising of G20 meet in Kashmir, China firmly said that it opposed holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed areas and will not attend such meetings. It is also to mentioned that China, owing to border dispute, had earlier skipped the confidential G20 meeting held in Arunachal Pradesh's capital town Itanagar on March 26.
“China firmly opposes holding G20 meetings in any form in 'disputed' areas and will not attend such meetings," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin had said on Friday.
The tensions between China and India have been strained since a military clash occurred in Ladakh in 2020, resulting in the loss of lives of 24 soldiers. In response to China's objection, India emphasized its right to hold meetings on its own territory and highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity on the border for normal bilateral relations.
The G20 tourism meeting, focused on the tourism working group for G20 members, is scheduled to take place from May 22 to May 24 in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite China's opposition, India intends to proceed with the event. The Indian government has invited numerous G20 member countries and guest nations to participate, although some nations, including China, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, have chosen not to register for the event in Srinagar.
The Indian government has emphasized that as the host nation, it has the right to choose the location for G20 events, and since Jammu and Kashmir are part of India, holding the meeting there is within its jurisdiction. India aims to showcase the progress it has made in the region and promote its potential as a tourist destination.
Also Read: China, Turkey likely to skip Kashmir G20 meeting
The main event of the G20 tourism meeting will be held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on May 22 and 23. More than 100 delegations from G20 member countries and invited guests are expected to attend. The conference center has been upgraded to meet international standards, and efforts have been made to create an eco-friendly environment for the attendees. The Indian government is committed to ensuring the success of the event and to showcasing the culture, tourism, and art of Jammu and Kashmir.
To publicize the conference and highlight developmental initiatives, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has launched social media and mainstream media advertising campaigns. Various departments, particularly in schools, have organized G20-related events throughout the region over the past month. Additionally, the University of Kashmir recently hosted a Youth-20 gathering, demonstrating India's commitment to engaging the youth in the G20 process.
Despite China's objection, India remains determined to proceed with the G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar, viewing it as an opportunity to promote the region's cultural heritage, tourism potential, and developmental progress. The event aims to bring together delegates from G20 member countries and guest nations to discuss and collaborate on tourism-related issues.
Turkey has also decided to skip the meeting. This comes after Turkey criticized India's handling of the situation in Kashmir in previous years.
