China has expressed its opposition to organizing a G20 meeting in Kashmir, whereas Turkey and Saudi Arabia have opted not to register for the event scheduled to take place in Srinagar.
In a statement made on Friday, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, firmly stated that “China firmly opposes the hosting of G20 meetings in any form in ‘disputed’ areas and will not participate in such gatherings.”
In response to the objection, India emphasized its right to hold meetings within its own territory, asserting that the preservation of peace and tranquility on its borders is crucial for maintaining normal relations with China.
The upcoming 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, scheduled for May 22-24, will take place in Srinagar amidst heightened security measures in the region.
This marks the first major international event held in Jammu and Kashmir since its special status was revoked in 2019, resulting in its division into two union territories.
Approximately 60 delegates from G20 countries are anticipated to participate in the Srinagar meeting, a lower number than the initial expectation of over 100 attendees.
According to sources, Turkey has made the decision to abstain from the meeting, while Saudi Arabia has not yet registered for the event.
Srinagar is currently under an unprecedented security arrangement, with marine commandos and National Security Guards (NSG) deployed in the region to ensure comprehensive ground-to-air security coverage.
The security of Dal Lake, situated near the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) where the G20 meeting will be held, has been assigned to the marines, also known as Marcos. Additionally, NSG commandos, along with police and paramilitary forces, have been conducting area domination exercises. On Thursday, the NSG conducted searches in Lal Chowk.
Paramilitary troops have been observed entering houseboats and conducting search operations. These houseboats, adorned with exquisite wood carvings, are crafted from various types of wood, including cedar, representing the rich culture and longstanding traditions of Kashmir.
Officials emphasize that the G20 event in Srinagar aims to showcase the tourism potential of Kashmir and convey a message to the world that it remains an integral part of the country.
The presence of member nations from the world’s most influential alliance is perceived as a validation of India’s stance.
Security agencies have received intelligence suggesting potential terrorist threats aimed at disrupting the G20 gathering. Extensive security measures are being implemented to thwart any such attempts. The Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Jammu and Kashmir Police are collectively involved in the region’s comprehensive security arrangements.
