China to Boycott G20 Summit hosted by India in Kashmir
Both China and Pakistan have voiced their disapproval of India’s decision to organize the event in the disputed territory of Kashmir and thus decided to boycott G20 Summit.
China has announced that it will not attend the upcoming G20 tourism meeting, which will be held in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.
China and Pakistan both condemned India for conducting the event in Muslim-dominated Kashmir, a disputed region between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Both nations claim the entire region, but only govern portions of it. Since their independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, they have fought three conflicts over Kashmir.
India, which holds the G20 presidency this year, has convened a series of meetings across the country in preparation for the September summit in New Delhi.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Friday that China is adamantly opposed to any G20 meetings being held in disputed territory and will not attend such gatherings.
Since 2019, when New Delhi altered the status of Jammu and Kashmir state, ending its special status and converting it into a federal territory, relations between India and Pakistan have been frozen.
It divided the state into Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, two federal territories. A significant portion of Ladakh is under Chinese control.
Tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers, and Kashmiri rebels have perished in the decades-long conflict in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, which has been wracked by a rebellion seeking independence or merger with Pakistan.
Since a military conflict in Ladakh in 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 24 soldiers, ties between New Delhi and Beijing have been strained.
On May 22-24, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, will host a meeting of the G20 tourism-working group.
Indian Increases security measures in Kashmir
India has responded to the objection by stating that it has right to conduct meetings on its own soil.
It stated on Friday that tranquilly and peace on its border are necessary for normal relations with China.
In a rare statement of New Delhi’s position since ties with Beijing worsened in 2020, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbours can only be built on mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest.
“India is fully prepared and committed to protecting its sovereignty and dignity,” Modi said in an interview with Nikkei Asia prior to his G7 summit trip to Japan.
The three-day gathering takes place on the margins of Dal Lake in Srinagar at a vast, well-guarded venue. The police stated that security was increased “at vulnerable locations to prevent any possibility of a terrorist attack during the G20”
Elite Indian commandos walked the streets of Srinagar on Friday. Officials have blacktopped the roads leading to the site and lighted up electrical poles in the colours of the Indian flag to signal the return of “normalcy and peace” to the area.
India has actively encouraged its residents to travel to Kashmir, and as a result, over a million Indians visited the region in 2022
Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt skip registration
Turkey and Saudi Arabia didn’t register for the Jammu and Kashmir summit until Friday, with barely two days left. There has been no formal notification regarding this from either Turkey or Saudi Arabia.
According to Arvind Singh, secretary of the Indian Union’s tourism department, registration for the summit would stay available until May 22.
Turkey’s stance on Kashmir
As per the Indian narrative, when it comes to the Kashmir conflict, Turkey has always taken Pakistan’s side. The Kashmir problem has also been brought up at international meetings.
Turkey raised the matter at the UN General Assembly and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calling for a greater international effort to find a settlement and address human rights concerns in Kashmir.
Egypt also skips registration
Not only have members of the Group of Twenty (G20) been invited, but also representatives from a wide range of international organisations and special invited countries.
Some examples are Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Officials say that with the exception of Egypt, all other countries have registered to send delegates.
G20 Summit in Kashmir to entice investors according to India
Kashmir has always been a famous tourist destination, drawing travellers from all over the world in search of its stunning scenery. The region’s economy has benefited greatly from the hospitality sector.
Those involved in Kashmir’s tourism industry anticipate a boost in business and foot traffic as a result of the G20 summit. Tourism stakeholders in Kashmir believe that the G20 conference will increase both foreign investment and tourism to the region.
