g20 tourism in kashmir

India hosted a tourism summit to show Kashmir is peaceful. Residents call it a 'façade'

G20 tourism meeting attended by delegates from 27 countries.

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While a G20 tourism summit unfolded this week on the banks of Srinagar's picturesque Dal Lake in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, army commandos patrolled the area and police officers with machine guns stood watch at most street corners.

The tight security in Jammu and Kashmir, already one of the world's most heavily militarized zones, was meant to ensure the working group meeting, hosted by India and attended by delegates from 27 countries, went smoothly.

It's the first high-level international meeting of its kind to be held in Kashmir since the government revoked the Muslim-majority region's special status and brought it under direct Indian control, while splitting it into two federal territories.

Indian paramilitary soldiers guard the area near Srinagar's revamped, historic Polo View Market while delegates visit the area, under a sign promoting India's run as G20 hosts this year.

Indian authorities hoped to show that Kashmir, the site of decades of insurgency against Indian rule, is now peaceful and stable following the repeal of its semi-autonomous status.

But at the Jahangir Chowk market, several kilometres away from the perimeter insulating the meeting venue, the idea of everything being normal in Kashmir was dismissed outright.

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"If there is normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, what makes you create this huge amount of security personnel to deploy in this state?" said businessman and political activist Amood Gulzar, 29. "There is a contradiction."

Political activist Amood Gulzar, 29, bemoaned the fact that India has organized a high-level meeting to promote tourism in the region but has not confirmed whether it will hold elections in Kashmir, which hasn't had an elected government since 2018.

He said he welcomed the presence of G20 delegates in Srinagar, but felt the demands of regular Kashmiris were being ignored — including free elections, which haven't been held in Jammu and Kashmir since 2014.

"There is no elected government [in the region] and India is the [world's] largest democracy, denying the democratic procedures to this state," Gulzar said. "How does that make sense?"

'We are living in fear'

Others at the market and elsewhere quietly complained of harassment from police and soldiers ahead of the three-day meeting. Multiple security checkpoints dotted Srinagar, and residents told CBC News they felt unable to fully describe the situation in their state to journalists, for fear of being detained.

"People are oppressed. We can't speak openly," one shoe vendor cried out in anger, while others nodded in agreement.

Vendors at an outdoor market in central Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir, told CBC News that many are afraid to speak about the situation in their area, fearing pointed questions or harassment from authorities.

"We are living in fear. The forces are everywhere," Srinagar resident Riyaz Ahmed told CBC News, while shopping at the market with his young granddaughter. "Every Kashmiri is depressed."

He said that while speaking to CBC, he was "afraid that they might be watching" and that he would be "harassed later."

Ahmed nonetheless continued the conversation, saying he and others gathered around him in the market square didn't understand the purpose of the G20 tourism summit.

"They want to show the world that Kashmir is peaceful. But it is not," Ahmed said. "The G20 campaign is just a façade."

WATCH | CBC on the ground: Outward calm, simmering anger in Indian-controlled Kashmir:

Outward calm of India-controlled Kashmir hides a simmering anger

At a nearby indoor market virtually devoid of customers, Manzoor Ahmed (no relation) echoed those words.

"Because of the heightened security presence around the G20, Kashmiris are very scared and don't leave their houses like we used to," the 40-year-old vendor said in Kashmiri. "This has also hit our business."

He stirred his large pot full of traditional Kashmiri Gushtaba meatballs at a stall he has manned his whole life, and bristled at the intense security that has descended on his city, where a heavy military presence is already the norm.

He shrugged when asked if he expected to see any benefit from the G20 meeting, which was focused on promoting tourism in the embattled region.

'Kashmiris are very scared and don't like to leave their houses like we used to,' said Manzoor Ahmed, blaming the intense security around the G20 tourism meeting for a drop in customers at his food stall, in central Srinagar.

"The G20 delegation had no communication with us Kashmiri people, they do not know about our sufferings and problems," Ahmed said. "The government only presented [the delegation] with a façade of normalcy and placed them in luxurious hotels."

Decades of conflict

Controversy has dogged the Indian government's choice to hold the meeting in disputed territory.

Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full, but each only controls parts of the Himalayan region, which has a predominantly Muslim population and has been a flashpoint since the two countries gained independence 75 years ago. The countries, both nuclear powers, have fought two of their three full-scale wars over the region.

Delegates from G20 nations attending the tourism working group meeting on Monday May 22 enjoyed boat rides on Srinagar's famed Dal Lake. The meeting is focused on promoting tourism to the disputed territory.

The United Nations said on Monday the meeting was taking place while "massive human rights violations" continue in Kashmir, including arbitrary arrests, political persecutions and restrictions on free media.

"The government of India is seeking to normalize what some have described as a military occupation by instrumentalizing a G20 meeting and portray an international seal of approval," said Fernand de Varennes, the UN special rapporteur on minority issues, in a statement.

India called the statement "baseless" and full of "unwarranted allegations."

China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were among the handful of nations that boycotted the meeting due to its location.

Pakistan, which is not a G20 member, was incensed by the decision to have the meeting in Kashmir.

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard as his colleagues patrol Dal Lake ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Saturday, May 20, 2023. Authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

India is "abusing their presidency of the G20 to push their colonial agenda," Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told AFP on Monday from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Indian officials dismissed the criticism. The chief co-ordinator for India's G20 presidency, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said that Pakistan had no right to object when it came to the G20 or Jammu and Kashmir, "which is an integral part of India, and the meeting that is being held here today has nothing to do with them."

The region has 'moved on' from strife, says India

Indian authorities at the G20 tourism working group meeting also defended having the meeting in Srinagar, the summer capital of a restive region.

Indian officials hoped the meeting, held in the disputed Kashmir region, would show that it is an area of "peace and prosperity" that is safe for tourists. The aim was to promote traditional Kashmiri culture and boost tourism to the area, which saw a record number of visitors in 2022.

"Jammu and Kashmir has moved on" from violence, said Jitendra Singh, India's junior minister of science and technology, on the first day of the meeting.

He said holding the summit was an achievement in itself, while touting the dramatic rise in tourism to the mountainous region famed for its beauty. A record number of tourists, mostly domestic, visited Indian-controlled Kashmir last year — 18.4 million. This year's figure is expected to hit 20 million.

"The common man walking on the streets of Srinagar wants to be a part of the development journey led by Prime Minister Modi," Singh said.

The G20 tourism meeting focused on showcasing the tourism potential of the disputed territory, famed for its snow-capped mountains and shimmering lakes and rivers.

That statement was met with incredulous scoffs at the Srinagar food market.

"Unemployment is growing, the streets are dug up," Riyaz Ahmed said. "Is this the development they speak of?" he added, gesturing at the empty vendor tables on a dirt road.

"The situation is the worst in Kashmir. India does whatever it wants."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Salimah Shivji is CBC's South Asia correspondent, based in Mumbai. She has covered everything from natural disasters and conflicts, climate change to corruption across Canada and the world in her nearly two decades with the CBC.

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India holds G-20 tourism event in restive Kashmir to showcase its normalcy

SRINAGAR, India — The famous houseboats, bedecked with lights and adorned with the G-20 logo, were just visible behind the ranks of uniformed police stationed around Kashmir’s stunning Dal Lake. Every 20 feet along the waterfront was a poster advertising picturesque Kashmiri sites — with a camouflage-clad soldier standing behind.

The signs for the Group of 20 intergovernmental forum that India is hosting this year proclaims the country as “The Mother of Democracy,” but this meeting for tourism took place in a heavily militarized region that has not seen elections for its legislature in almost a decade.

Having the delegates from the world’s 20 wealthiest nations meet to discuss tourism amid the majestic Himalayan beauty of India’s Kashmir showcases what India says is the return of peace and prosperity to the region. But the conversations touting a new normalcy came amid a heavy security presence and were in sharp contrast to the voices just outside the barricaded conference premises.

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“What will come from this development? We need to have peace in our hearts first,” said a shopkeeper — who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak freely about the government — in the heart of Srinagar’s old city, an area that has often witnessed violence. He said police threatened nearby shops to stay open to give a semblance of normalcy in the territory.

As he spoke, a dozen members of the federal paramilitary police, tailed by their massive windowless armored vehicle, stopped to search a group of young boys. “The delegation should come here and see this and talk to us,” the shopkeeper said. “They should talk about the Kashmir issue. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

The decision to put one of the dozens of G-20 meetings this year in Kashmir has not passed without controversy. China has boycotted the event, it has been condemned by neighboring Pakistan and the U.N. special rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, issued a blistering statement saying the Indian government “is seeking to normalize what some have described as a military occupation.”

Voices from Kashmir: Inside India’s year-long crackdown

Kashmir, India’s only Muslim-majority entity, has long been the country’s pride and joy with its magnificent mountain vistas. It was once a must-have shooting location for movies and a coveted honeymoon destination even while it was stuck in a continuous tug-of-war between Pakistan and India that provoked several wars.

After disputed elections in 1987, simmering dissatisfaction erupted into a violent insurgency and government crackdown that darkened Kashmir’s reputation. After coming to power, Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched “Operation All Out” — a 2017 offensive against the militants that killed hundreds and dramatically worsened relations with Pakistan .

After Modi won a second term in 2019, his government revoked the state’s special autonomous status negotiated after independence and made it a territory directly governed by New Delhi. Any dissent was stifled with harsh restrictions , including the longest internet shutdown in a democracy and the detention of top political leaders, journalists and activists .

The government maintains that the removal of the region’s special status has allowed it to properly control it and usher in a new era of development, including relaxing land laws to allow in outsiders and investment, which the G-20 meeting showcases.

“The fact that we are holding it in Srinagar is itself an achievement of sorts,” said Jitendra Singh, a government minister who is also a parliament member from the region, in a news conference. “This is an opportunity to see with your own eyes what it is all about. The common man has moved on.”

Kashmir saw a record number of tourists last year, almost 2.6 million, while another 13,000 foreign tourists have come just this year, mostly from Southeast Asia, to see the region’s famous mountains and tulips. The government hopes that new golf courses, train lines and efforts to remove the travel advisories on Kashmir will bring more Europeans and others.

Arun Kumar Mehta, the territory’s chief secretary, said roughly $250 million of the proposed $8 billion worth of investment projects have been completed, with money flowing from the Middle East in particular for shopping complexes.

“2022 was a historic year of development,” he said. “Life was normal for the first time in many, many years. I see such a yearning in the common people to get back to normal. Peace comes about when people have a stake in peace. And it’s very apparent that people have a stake in peace.” The territory’s lieutenant governor, Manoj Sinha, also said that the “ecosystem of terror sponsored by our neighbor has been almost dismantled.”

Since the crackdown, militant recruitment has plummeted, according to a senior security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

But a 28-year-old who works at a shopping center in Srinagar noted that, “if they are so confident, then they should have opened the gates of the [G-20 center] for locals to be part of the event and not hold it under such a tight security cover. Only the government is celebrating.” He spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk freely.

In particular, the government has touted a new high-profile cinema multiplex in the city, marking the return of movie theaters to the region after they were targeted by militants in the 1990s and all shut down.

Khushboo Farooq, a 21-year-old who works there, said she finally found a place where she feels safe after it opened last year. “We need the entertainment in our lives, after what we have gone through.”

“The reality is Kashmir has already changed, and we haven’t woken up to this,” said Vikas Dhar, the theater’s owner, who hoped that the G-20 event would move Kashmir’s narrative beyond conflict. He described his theater as “an answer to the demand that people are raising.”

While people would like to go to the cinema, those types of development are not “the basic crux of what they really want,” countered Anuradha Bhasin, an editor of Kashmir Times who said that the government’s roughly half-dozen cases against her newspaper had crippled it. “They are beautifying certain areas, but the people are missing from the story. Then you have big jamborees like G-20, it kind of smacks of the indifference of the government towards the people.”

Bhasin said that while apparent signs of violence may be decreasing, without a free and vocal media it is unclear whether the militancy is growing or not.

Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister who was detained after the region’s semiautonomous status was revoked, said this apparent development and prosperity comes with a heavy hand.

“They are trying to use tourism as a sign of normalcy,” she said, adding that roughly 100 young men were detained before the G-20 meeting in “preventive arrests.”

“If everything is fine, why this suppression? Maybe today, it is calm. But the amount of might that is used to keep things that way, can’t be used like that all the time. And when, God forbid, it bursts, it can be very big. You know Kashmir, it can happen anytime,” she said.

‘A dormant volcano’: Kashmir’s streets are quiet, but residents seethe with resentment

Mohammad Sayeed Malik, a retired journalist from the region, said elections for the territory’s assembly could offer a “breakthrough.”

While such elections might happen “soon,” according to officials at the G-20 event, the government for now is focusing on local elections to strengthen the politics from the “grass roots” amid worries that assembly candidates could fuel separatist sentiments, particularly if funded by Pakistan.

The shopping center employee said he has given up on elections taking place anytime soon. He agreed that Modi’s campaigns have brought in tourists, but “they come, enjoy the beauty and leave without bothering to ask us what we face or how we have been doing.”

Shams Irfan contributed to this report.

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How the G20 meet in Kashmir is more than a summit, it's rejuvenation

The g20 tourism working group meeting is the first significant international event in jammu and kashmir since the abrogation of article 370. with the spotlight on kashmir, the government hopes to show that the decision has brought peace to the valley and also put it on the road to prosperity..

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In an epochal move, the Union government abrogated Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, on August 5, 2019. Cut to three years later and the Valley has opened up to welcome foreign dignitaries for the prestigious G20 tourism summit – in what is seen as a bid by the Centre to display how "normalcy and peace" has been restored in the restive territory.

With India holding the G20 presidency for 2023, the government has planned more than 100 meetings across the country. Hosting an event in Jammu and Kashmir had been on the agenda from the get-go. But a string of targeted civilian killings and deadly terror attacks nearly derailed these ambitious plans. Ten soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in four attacks this year.

However, the Modi regime pressed ahead and after making some tweaks , and substantially beefing up security arrangements, the three-day gathering commenced on May 22 at the well-guarded SKICC complex on the shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar.

In the past, an event of this scale would have been met with a general strike in Srinagar, but now people are "going about with their activity", said MoS Jitendra Singh.

"Jammu and Kashmir has moved on, the common man has moved on. He's seen two generations of Kashmiris being sacrificed on the altar of Pak-sponsored terrorism, he's no longer in a mood to succumb to that," he said.

Foreign delegates being welcomed as they arrive to participate in the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar

G20 member China, Pakistan’s long-time ally, objected to the event being held on “disputed territory” and said it would not attend. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Oman also followed suit.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Oman are members of the Organisation of Islamic Countries, which has regularly shown its Kashmir obsession on Pakistan's prodding. But Saudi Arabia and Turkey haven't given the three-day event in Srinagar a complete miss.

Egypt skipping the event, though, came as a surprise to political watchers.

Non-G20 member Egypt was a special invitee to the event. The country’s president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, was the chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade this year.

SECURITY TIGHTENED

With terrorists stepping up attacks in recent months, Jammu and Kashmir Police said security has been bolstered "to avoid any chance of terrorist attack during the G20 meet”.

Indian paramilitary troopers stand for briefing before their deployment ahead of the G20 meeting in Srinagar

The Centre is doubling down on promoting tourism in the region -- home to spectacular mountain scenery -- with welcome signs at the airport declaring it "paradise on earth".

Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said film tourism had emerged as a powerful medium to promote the tourism industry and the government was chalking out a comprehensive strategy for its growth in J&K.

There is a feeling of positive change that the government wants to go out through the G20 delegates.

“I hope that when our friends go back, they will be our ambassadorsâ€æ about the situation here and how it appears,” Union minister Jitendra Singh said.

G20 delegates visit Srinagar's historical Polo View market, call it a unique experience

Amid the light rain, the G20 delegates experienced the beauty of the historical Polo View market in Srinagar on Wednesday. The G20 delegates, who are in Kashmir for the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting, called it a unique experience and appealed to tourists around the world to visit Kashmir. The group of G20 delegates were seen roaming across the market, entering different shops and talking to the local residents.

J&K: G20 delegates enjoy golf, visit Mughal garden, Pari Mahal

Delegates attending the third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting here enjoyed a session of golf and visited famous tourist sites, including the, in the city on Wednesday, officials said. In the morning, the delegates took part in a yoga session held in the lawns of a luxury hotel where they are staying

Social protection systems for disaster mitigation discussed at G20 working group, UNICEF meet

The need for making a social protection system an effective and preferred instrument for disaster risk financing was discussed at an event convened here by the G20 Disaster Risk Resilience Working Group and UNICEF on Wednesday, an official statement said. The discussions also emphasised the need for new-age social protection systems that invest in local risk resilience to mitigate the impact of disasters, it said.

Integrity of public bodies, impact of corruption on women on G20 anti-graft panel's meet agenda

The role of audit institutions, integrity and effectiveness of pubic bodies and impact of graft on women are among the agendas of second G20 anti-corruption working group meeting scheduled to begin in Rishikesh on Thursday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said. He said international cooperation for strengthening fight against corruption, including ways to recover stolen assets, analysing the effectiveness of existing mutual legal assistance frameworks and faster extradition of fugitive economic offenders will also be discussed during the meeting.

G20 tourism track meet in Srinagar successful, says Korean ambassador to India

The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting here was a success, South Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok said on Wednesday, adding that Kashmir is a wonderful place with kind people. The Korean ambassador said Seoul strongly supported India's presidency and expressed hope that New Delhi will make the G20 meetings successful.

The Delegates of the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting dressed in traditional attire on a visit to the Nishat Bagh in Srinagar.

G20 Meeting Live: The 3-day third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, being held in Srinagar, will conclude today.

G20 Meeting Live: Keen to work with G20 nations to promote sustainable tourism in India, around world: Union minister G Kishan Reddy

G20 Meeting Live: J&K will soon find a place among the top 50 destinations in the world and on the travel bucket list of global travellers: Sinha

G20 Meeting Live: G20 presidency is a matter of pride for us. The presence of UN representatives here indicates that the world wants India to host such events: J&K LG Manoj Sinha responds to a question from a foreign journalist on Pakistan saying India "abusing" G20 presidency with Kashmir meet

G20 Meeting Live: The Press enjoys absolute freedom in Jammu & Kashmir. More than 400 newspapers are published from here: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, in Srinagar

G20 Meeting Live: After three decades, the new Film Policy, modern infrastructure and ease of doing business have made Jammu & Kashmir a favourite destination for shooting films: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

G20 Meeting Live: We hosted over 18 million tourists last year which was unparalleled since Independence: LG

G20 Meeting Live: After 2019, the pace of implementing projects in J&K has increased 10-fold: Sinha

I would like to tell our guests that whenever they come to Kashmir next time, we would like to host them and take them to Gulmarg: J&K LG

The visit of foreign delegates to Gulmarg has been cancelled due to logistic support and time: Sinha

Under PM Modi's leadership, we have increased the pace of mega infrastructure programmes in the state: J&K LG Manoj Sinha

In the last financial year, the tourism sector contributed to 7% of GDP in J&K: Sinha

There has been unprecedented growth in the tourism sector. This G20 meeting has the highest gathering, 59 delegates are participating: LG

J&K is ready for the future: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha briefs media on Srinagar G20 event

It's China's loss, not India's: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Beijing skipping G20 meet in Kashmir

China not attending the G20 meeting in Srinagar does not make any difference and it is their loss, not India's, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. Delegates of all G20 countries, barring China, arrived in Srinagar on Monday to attend the third G20 tourism working group meeting. "That (China not attending the meeting) does not make any difference. China not coming is China's loss, not India's," Singh told PTI on the sidelines of the G20 meet here.

Watch: G20 delegates enjoy illuminated Shikara ride in Dal lake

G20 meet live: 'Terror ecosystem isolated through developmental schemes'

The terror ecosystem has now been isolated through developmental schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Territory's effective administration, he asserted.

For almost 30 years, this land [Jammu and Kashmir] of peaceful co-existence of almost all religious sects had to suffer state-sponsored terrorism by our neighbouring country

Manoj Sinha, J&K LG

G20 Summit 2023 live: Over 60 delegates taking part

Over 60 delegates are taking part in the third G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting that commenced in Srinagar on Monday and will continue till May 24. The G-20 delegates in Srinagar also enjoyed shikara ride on the picturesque Dal Lake on Monday.

G20 Meeting Live: Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir scaled up drastically

LG Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said tourism in Jammu and Kashmir has scaled up drastically, with a record number of tourists visiting the Valley.

Srinagar G20 Meeting Live: 'Jammu and Kashmir seen a lot of development'

LG Manoj Sinha, in his address on Tuesday, said that the Valley has seen a lot of development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

G20 Summit 2023 Live: LG Manoj Sinha pitches Jammu and Kashmir as a tourism destination, in his address.

G20 Meeting Live: Manoj Sinha's address under way

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha is addressing the G20 delegates on Day 2 of meet.

G20 Meeting 2023 Live: India's NY consulate general sponsors beach cleanup for G-20 event

India's Consulate General here has sponsored a beach cleanup as part of the global G-20 programme to combat beach litter that ravages coastal areas and ultimately harms marine life. Volunteers streamed into Jones Beach on Sunday for the programme which was co-sponsored by the Shanti Fund and the New York State Parks Department to clean up litter on the beach abutting the city on Long Island. (IANS)

G20 summit live: Security arrangement

Stringent security arrangements have been made to ensure that the event concludes incident-free.

Sringar G20 Meeting Live: 'G20 event in the Valley to send strong message against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism'

Kashmir, where tourism is a major industry, is embarking on an exciting journey with the G20 event in the Valley and it will send a strong message against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, Union ministers who have been camping here to oversee the event said.

G20 Summit Live: “All the G20 countries except China participated. This meeting had an overwhelming response. We had 61 delegates here. All countries except China are present here,” India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant told reporters at a press conference.

Srinagar G20 meeting live: Delegates given rousing welcome

The delegates were given a traditional Indian welcome at the Srinagar airport with performances by local artistes, and the three-day meet kicked off with a side event on 'Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation'.

G20 Meeting live: Event under way in Srinagar

Delegates of all G20 countries, barring China, arrived in Srinagar on Monday for the third working group meeting on tourism - a much-anticipated event for which authorities have made extensive security arrangements and spruced up the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

G20 summit 2023 Live Updates: Integrity of public bodies, impact of corruption on women on G20 anti-graft panel's meet agenda

An Indian paramilitary soldier guards at the Dal Lake ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian policemen guard as they stop civilians on a road for checking ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 15, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Workers push a handcart as they work on a newly renovated road ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Overview of a newly renovated road ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Tourists enjoy boat ride at Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian policeman guard on a road ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Monday, May 15, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Tourists enjoy boat ride as Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos patrol the Dal Lake ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Workers renovate iconic clock tower of Kashmir ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, May 18, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian paramilitary soldiers patrol a street in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A municipal employee fumigates outside the venue of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

An Indian tourist in a Kashmiri attire poses for photographs in a boat at the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

An Indian paramilitary soldiers guard near the Dal Lake ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Muslim students walk outside wall of a newly renovated sports stadium ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian paramilitary soldiers guard near the venue for the G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian Navy’s Marine Commandos patrol the Dal Lake ahead of G20 tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, May 17, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during the meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

An Indian paramilitary soldier stands guard in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Indian authorities have stepped up security and deployed elite commandos to prevent rebel attacks during a meeting of officials from the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations in the disputed region next week. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

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SRINAGAR, India (AP) — As India prepares to host a meeting of tourism officials from the Group of 20 in the disputed region of Kashmir, authorities have deployed elite commandos and stepped up security in the region’s largest city.

The meeting will be the first significant international event in Kashmir since New Delhi stripped the Muslim-majority region of semi-autonomy in 2019. Indian authorities are hoping the meeting will show that the controversial changes have brought “peace and prosperity” to the region.

Since the 2019 changes, the city, known for rolling Himalayan foothills and exquisitely decorated houseboats, has become a major domestic tourist destination. Hotels have been mostly booked out for months. Kashmir has also drawn millions of visitors , who enjoy a strange peace kept by ubiquitous security checkpoints, armored vehicles and patrolling soldiers.

For the G20 meeting, the city has spruced up its commercial center and roads leading to the convention center on Dal Lake, while police have increased security even further, placing a massive security cordon around the site.

On a recent Wednesday, gun-toting naval commandos in rubber boats mingled with tourists in canary-yellow gondolas.

India’s opposition Congress party leaders from left, Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, display copies of party’s election manifesto during a press conference in New Delhi, India, Friday, April 5, 2024. India's 6-week-long general election starts on April 19 and results will be announced on June 4. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Paul Staniland, a political scientist who studies South Asia at the University of Chicago, said the G20 meeting is “in line with Indian government policy to symbolically project normalcy and stability in Kashmir,” and is unlikely to herald a change in policy.

“The meeting is good and it could boost tourism,” said college student Mufeed Hilal. “But we also want to see the Kashmir issue resolved. That is our basic problem.”

REGIONAL NEIGHBORS AND UN HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT CRITICIZE KASHMIR MEETING

Pakistan, which controls a part of Kashmir but, like India, claims the entire territory, has slammed New Delhi for holding the meeting in Srinagar.

Speaking on the sidelines of a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in India, foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the choice of location showed India’s “pettiness” and was a “show of arrogance to the world.”

India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, dismissed the Pakistani minister’s comments, saying that he was not going to debate the issue “with a country which has nothing to do with the G20,” referring to the fact that Pakistan is not a member of the group.

The G20, made up of the world’s largest economies, has a rolling presidency with a different member state in charge of the group’s agenda and priorities each year. India is steering the group in 2023.

China also criticized India’s plan to hold the meeting in Srinagar.

“China firmly opposes holding any form of G20 meeting in disputed areas and China will not attend such a meeting,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing Friday.

Last month, China skipped another G20 meeting held in the disputed region Ladakh, where Indian and Chinese soldiers are locked in a bitter military standoff high in the mountains after 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed in a hand-to-hand melee in 2020.

A U.N. human rights expert on Monday said the meeting would support a “facade of normalcy” while “massive human rights violations” continue in the region.

“The government of India is seeking to normalise what some have described as a military occupation by instrumentalising a G20 meeting and portray an international seal of approval,” said Fernand de Varennes, the special rapporteur on minority issues, in a statement.

India’s mission at the U.N. in Geneva rejected the statement as “baseless” and “unwarranted allegations.” In a tweet on Tuesday, it said it was India’s “prerogative to host its meetings in any part of the country.”

India also held G20 tourism meetings in the states of West Bengal and Gujarat earlier this year, and one more is scheduled in Goa next month.

SEARCHES AND PATROLS REDOUBLE AHEAD OF MEETING

Intrusive security measures have been a fact of life in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989, when a violent separatist insurgency erupted and Indian forces replied with a brutal crackdown. While the armed rebellion was largely suppressed, the region remains one of the world’s most heavily militarized territory, with hundreds of thousands of Indian troops deployed.

For decades, a typical Kashmiri’s day has included frisking and questioning by police and soldiers, house raids and random searches of cars. But after New Delhi took the region under its direct control, authorities have seized scores of homes and arrested hundreds under stringent anti-terror laws. The government says such actions are necessary to stop what it calls a “terror ecosystem.”

Mehbooba Mufti, the region’s former top elected official, said that police had detained hundreds of Kashmiris ahead of the meeting. In a party newsletter, she alleged that there has been an “unprecedented surge in arrests, raids, surveillance and persecution of our people” ahead of the event.

In a statement on Monday, police said there is a “need to enhance the security measures at vulnerable locations to avoid any chance of terrorist attack during the G20” meeting.

Kashmir has remained on edge since the 2019 changes, as authorities put in place new laws that critics and many Kashmiris fear could transform the region’s demographics . In New Delhi’s effort to shape what it calls “Naya Kashmir,” or a “new Kashmir,” the territory’s people and its press have been largely silenced .

Although violence has ebbed in last few years, fighting between government forces and rebels opposed to Indian rule still erupts periodically. At least 10 Indian soldiers, including five members of army special forces, were killed recently in two militant attacks in Jammu region.

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Tourists ride "Shikaras" or boats in the waters of Dal Lake during sunset in Srinagar

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India holds G20 meeting in disputed Kashmir amid tight security

Tourism gathering has been boycotted by china, saudi arabia, turkey and other countries.

A delegate from the Group of 20 nations tourism meeting takes boat trip on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir. AP

Delegates from the Group of 20 countries attended the second day of meetings on tourism amid tight security in India-administered- Kashmir on Tuesday.

It is the first high profile event held in Kashmir since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government stripped the Muslim-majority region of its semi-autonomy in 2019.

New Delhi is portraying the gathering as a return to normality in the northern region, which is plagued by violence.

India is presiding over the group this year, which includes both developing and developed nations. It is hosting more than 200 meetings across the country.

The three-day Kashmir event is hosting discussions around ecotourism, destination management and promoting tourism.

The meeting in Kashmir’s capital Srinagar holds political significance for India.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan. It joined India in 1947, soon after the subcontinent was divided up at the end of British rule.

The neighbours have fought several wars over it.

A decades-long armed rebellion against New Delhi’s rule has left tens of thousands of people dead, with anti-India sentiments running high.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of training and arming extremists, a charge denied by Pakistan.

A portion of the former Himalayan kingdom also remains under China’s control.

A police officer stands near a G20 hoarding in Srinagar, India-administered-Kashmir. EPA

Mr Modi’s government has argued that the reclaiming Kashmir has ended “terrorism” in the contested region and brought peace, as well as investment opportunities.

But the meeting has been condemned by Pakistan and officially boycotted by China which says that it would not attend the meeting in a “disputed territory”.

Several other G20 member states, such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia and Egypt, have also not attended.

Last week, Fernand de Varennes, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, said the Indian government was “seeking to normalise what some have described as a military operation by instrumentalising a G20 meeting” in a region where fears of human rights violations and violence are rife.

Kashmir remains one of the most militarised regions in the world. Around 500,000 Indian armed personnel are deployed in the region.

Thousands of security officers – including elite naval commandos – have been deployed in recent days for the event at a convention centre on the banks of the famous Dal Lake.

Authorities ordered several schools in the capital city to close during the event.

They intensified security over fears of extremist attacks and public protests.

The government said the meeting focuses on deliberations on the tourism working group – which include a road map for tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals.

Authorities are also focusing on strategies to promote film tourism in the valley.

The Kashmir valley is known for its natural beauty, enjoying cool weather surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas. It was a popular filming location before extremism gripped the region in the 1990s.

Tourism is an important industry and contributes about seven per cent to Kashmir’s economy. It was severely affected following the annulment of its semi-autonomous status and the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Dr Jitendra Singh, the junior minister for Science and Technology who opened the event, said the G20 meeting will help build confidence among the locals and promote tourism.

“In Kashmir, within a radius of a few kilometres, you have fountains, lakes, plateaus, hillocks, snow-clad peaks,” said Mr Singh.

“I am sure this is going to open up. The confidence building has also happened because of the very successful tourist season we had recently.

“This is an indication of the fact that now Jammu and Kashmir as a whole and the Kashmir Valley, which a few years ago was believed to be a kind of a nerve centre of terrorism and Pak-sponsored militancy, is now in the same streamline of activity as any other city in the country,” he added.

Bollywood churning out 'pro-government' fare ahead of Indian elections, film critic says

Third G20 Tourism meeting to be organized from 22nd to 24th May at Srinagar Side event on 'Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation' to be organized during the event Delegates will visit the Art and Craft Bazaar showcasing local handicrafts, work of artisans, signifying the importance of community participation : Shri Arvind Singh

The third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, will be held from 22nd to 24th May 2023 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. This was informed by Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Shri Arvind Singh while addressing a press conference in New Delhi today.

Giving details, Sh Arvind Singh said that the stage is set for discussions and deliberations on finals deliverables and there are two key deliverables of the Tourism Working Group, which include GOA Roadmap for Tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals and G20 Tourism Ministers’ Declaration.

Sh Arvind Singh further said that during this meeting, G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organizations will give valuable inputs and feedback on these two draft documents and after negotiations with G20 Member Countries on these drafts, final versions will be placed in the fourth Tourism Working Group meeting and Ministerial meeting.

Under India’s G20 Tourism Track, the Tourism Working Group is working on five inter-connected priority areas, which are Green Tourism; Digitalization; Skills ; MSMEs ; Destination These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieve the targets for 2030 SDGs.

Shri Arvind Singh said that a side event on 'Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation' will be organized on 22nd and 23 rd May 2023, focusing on strategies to promote film tourism. The event will witness the participation of G20 member countries, invited countries, international organizations, and industry stakeholders. He also said that a draft 'National Strategy on Film Tourism' will be unveiled to provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations.

A panel discussion featuring esteemed speakers from G20 Member countries, Invited Countries will shed light on country-specific enablers and challenges in promoting destinations through films.

The Tourism Secretary also informed that along the sidelines of the main event, a national level side event will be organized along with FICCI which will focus on 'Promoting Incredible India through Film Tourism,' offering states and union territories an opportunity to share their policies and best practices that have facilitated the development of film tourism. Industry stakeholders will also provide suggestions on encouraging filmmakers to shoot in various locations across the country.

Shri Arvind Singh said that the Ministry of Tourism has also planned a side event along with CII on 'Ecotourism as a vehicle to achieve Sustainable Development Goal' which will explore effective strategies, best practices, and synergy between the public and private sectors to accelerate efforts towards sustainable development goals.

Noteworthy presentations will be given by experts and representatives from wildlife organizations, industry associations.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to experience the local attractions.

During the 3rd Tourism Working Group meeting, the delegates will also visit the Art and Craft Bazaar organized by the State Government showcasing local handicrafts, work of artisans, signifying the importance of community participation. The Delegates will also have ‘hands-on’ experience through DIY Activities at the Craft Bazaar.

The Ministry of Tourism is also promoting local products of Jammu and Kashmir by handing below souvenirs to Delegates from ODOP.

Paper Mache Box is the common themes that appear on Kashmiri paper mache products include flowers, box patterns
Saffron from Pampore - Srinagar, is referred to as the 'saffron capital of India'.
Kawa cups and Brass Spoon - It has been a part of Kashmir’s cuisine since ages.
Walnuts are from Anantnag, Shopian and Kupwara - Walnuts of Kashmir, are popular across India and even exported around the world.

This G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar aims to strengthen economic growth, preserve cultural heritage, and promote sustainable development of the region The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, welcomes the participation of delegates from G20 member countries, invited countries, and international organizations to collectively work towards advancing the tourism sector and achieving the UN sustainable development goals 2030.

The G20 event presents a unique opportunity to highlight the tourism potential and cultural richness of the region.

A detailed presentation about the event was also made by Additional Secretary, Sh Rakesh Verma. OSD, Tourism Smt V. Vidyavathi was also present at the media briefing.

Click here for further details of the conference

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A paramilitary trooper stands guard during the G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar, India

China and Saudi Arabia boycott G20 meeting held by India in Kashmir

Indian presidency of group becomes mired in controversy as tourism session hosted in disputed territory

India’s presidency of the G20 group of leading nations has become mired in controversy after China and Saudi Arabia boycotted a meeting staged in Kashmir, the first such gathering since India unilaterally brought Kashmir under direct control in August 2019.

The meeting, a tourism working group attended by about 60 delegates from most G20 countries taking place from Monday to Wednesday, required a large show of security at Srinagar international airport.

In 2019 the Indian government stripped the disputed Muslim-majority region of semi-autonomy and split it into two federal territories in an attempt to integrate it fully into India.

Indian authorities hoped the meeting would show that the controversial changes have brought “peace and prosperity” to the region and that it is a safe place for tourists.

India’s elite National Security Guard, including its counter-drone unit and marine commandos, were helping police and paramilitary forces to secure the event venues.

China has said it will not attend, citing its firm opposition “to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory”. In April, Pakistan, which also lays claim to Kashmir but is not a G20 member, described the meeting as irresponsible. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Indonesia were also expected to stay away.

The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti claimed India had turned the region into the equivalent of the Guantánamo Bay prison simply to hold a meeting on tourism. She also accused the Bharatiya Janata party, the party of the prime minister, Narendra Modi, of hijacking the G20 for its promotional purposes.

Last week Fernand de Varennes, the UN’s special rapporteur on minority issues, issued a statement saying the G20 was “unwittingly providing a veneer of support to a facade of normalcy” when human rights violations, political persecution and illegal arrests were escalating in Kashmir.

He said the meeting risked normalising what some have described as a military occupation. The statement was criticised as baseless by India’s permanent mission at the UN in Geneva. It was India’s prerogative to hold G20 meetings in any part of the country, the mission said.

India divided the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 to create two federally administered territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Ladakh is a disputed frontier region along the line of actual control between India and China, and both countries claim parts of it.

The chief coordinator for India’s G20 presidency, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said on Sunday: “We have the highest representation from foreign delegations for the tourism working group meeting in Srinagar, than we have had in the previous working group meetings.

“Our experience is that in any working group meeting, to get such a large turnout of delegates not only from G20 countries but also from international organisations that are part of the G20 is an incredible process. If you have to do a working group on tourism in India, we have to do it in Srinagar. There is no option.”

Britain’s high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, said UK representatives would be attending the meeting. At a meeting between Modi and Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, at the G7 in Hiroshima, the two sides discussed progress on reaching a free trade deal. India remains angry at what it regards as a lax UK police reaction to an attack on the Indian high commission in London on 19 March by pro-Khalistan extremists. Security has been stepped up outside the commission.

The presidency of the G20 is rotated between members each year and the Indian presidency was always likely to prove controversial as India has close trading links with Russia and the Modi administration is keen to protect Russia from criticism by western members of the G20 over Ukraine. Kyiv has asked to attend a summit in September but the Indian government is arguing Ukraine is not relevant to the state of the world economy – the central purpose of the G20 – or to its chosen key agenda items of inclusive growth, debt restructuring and climate finance.

Vladimir Putin did not attend the G20 summit staged by Indonesia last year but instead sent his veteran foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov .

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Modi Wants to Bring Tourists Back to Kashmir

India’s government wants to turn the war-torn region into a renewed tourist hot spot..

Kashmir’s natural beauty is undeniable, as I learned on my first visit 25 summers ago. Glistening waterfalls spill from craggy, snowcapped Himalayan peaks. Stylish wooden shikaras glide soundlessly across the mirrored surface of Dal Lake, past diving kingfishers, soaring eagles, towering cliffs, and fields of wildflowers.

When the owner of the houseboat I stayed in gave me a hat to wear on the boat’s sunny rooftop, I noticed an inky scrawl on the inside. I lived in downtown New York City at the time and was stunned to find, looking closer, a note from fellow downtowner, rock god Lou Reed.

Yet Kashmir has been drawing famed visitors for eons. Four centuries ago, Mughal Emperor Jahangir fell so hard for Kashmir that he built a vast garden for his wife beside the Dal and named it Shalimar (“abode of love”). It’s a popular attraction today, as is a nearby seven-terraced garden and palace built by his son, Shah Jahan, shortly after gifting the world the Taj Mahal.

Hoping to highlight such glories, India has rolled out the red carpet for this week’s G-20 summit in Srinagar, the summer capital of India’s northernmost region. More than 100 delegates from dozens of countries are set to attend the tourism-focused conference, along with the guest of honor, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India Projects Image of Normalcy From Kashmir

The region will host a G-20 meeting next month, but repression persists since New Delhi revoked its semi-autonomy in 2019.

How India’s New Bridge to Kashmir Divided a Region

Kashmiris fear an expensive infrastructure project will mean more military domination and demographic change.

Modi’s Marketing Muscle

The prime minister has turned India’s G-20 leadership into a nonstop advertisement for its growing clout.

This is Kashmir’s first turn in the international spotlight in nearly four decades, perhaps since India battled Australia in a one-day cricket match in late 1986. Kashmiri separatists started crossing into Pakistan for military training after the next year’s election, and by 1990 the insurgency had begun.

Some 60,000 people have since been killed in the insurgency as Kashmir has become one of the world’s most heavily militarized regions, host to around 600,000 Indian troops. The violence had largely subsided by the time Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood in August 2019, when the Modi government revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which had granted the region a measure of autonomy.

New Delhi’s thinking behind the revocation—which also separated Jammu and Kashmir from Ladakh to the east, creating two union territories—was that the time had come to economically integrate Kashmir. “Give us five years and we will make it the most developed state in the country,” Home Minister Amit Shah said , announcing the move

Four years later, there are signs of progress. Militant recruitment has plummeted , and the regular street protests led by rock pelters are largely a thing of the past. The region welcomed nearly 19 million visitors in 2022 and is on pace for more than 20 million this year.

Srinagar has lately been spiffed up with refurbished sidewalks and footpaths and new street lights displaying the Indian tricolor flag. Along the shores of Dal Lake, beside Shah Jahan’s garden, the conference center hosting the event has been given a $1 million makeover.

This dovetails with other significant developments. Massive billboards promote a $366 million smart-city project that seeks to transform streets, parking, pedestrian areas, and more. Last September, the Kashmir Valley enjoyed its first commercial film showings in more than 15 years with the opening of a three-screen multiplex (Indian security forces have commandeered most of Srinagar’s old cinema houses to use as barracks and detention centers). In addition, Dubai’s Emaar Group plans to build a $60 million shopping center in Srinagar.

A bit farther afield, the government is working on a $1 billion, nearly 9-mile tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh highway that will shorten the drive time to Ladakh and is expected to reduce accidents and boost tourism. And the world’s highest railway bridge, over the Chenab River some 50 miles south of Srinagar and set for completion later this year, will finally give Kashmir a reliable year-round link to the rest of India.

The rub, however, is that the conflict is far from over: Kashmir remains a disputed and deeply unstable flash point for three nuclear-armed powers—China, Pakistan, and India—and its people face severe restrictions of movement and expression imposed by New Delhi.

While its ally China claims part of Ladakh, Pakistan has claimed Kashmir as its own since the country’s founding, along with that of India, in the Partition of 1947. Those two states have fought three conflicts over the region, the most recent in 1999, and last month Pakistan denounced India’s G-20 meet in Srinagar as “irresponsible” and “self-serving.”

Separatist violence has spiked as the summit has neared. In late April, militants assaulted an Indian military convoy near the Line of Control—the de facto border dividing India- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir—killing five soldiers. A Pakistan-backed terror group claimed that attack, and two weeks later likely mounted another that killed five more Indian troops.

Despite beefed up security and drone surveillance in preparation for the G-20, Kashmir saw four gun battles between militants and security forces in the first week of May. More recently, another gun fight broke out , and the Indian Army reported an infiltration attempt from Pakistan. Growing destabilization in neighboring Pakistan may be spilling over into Kashmir as the Pakistani military seeks to upset its rival’s plans.

As India’s only Muslim-majority region, Kashmir is largely free from the local anti-Muslim aggressions that are increasingly common in much of India under Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. But violence there does sometimes go in the other direction. Following several killings of local Hindus early this year in northwest Jammu along the Line of Control, the Indian government established armed citizen militias that patrol villages in the area.

Most G-20 powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France, have issued travel warnings on Kashmir, advising citizens not to visit. It’s not just about the threat of separatist violence; crime has festered amid the instability. As of March, Kashmir ranks second nationally—up from fifth in 2022—in drug abuse. The Kashmir Valley may be emerging as a drug hub, with regular drug-related violence and seizures along the border. Human trafficking is also surging , up 16 percent last year, with women the main target.

As a result, investment in Kashmir is down 55 percent since Article 370’s revocation, according to government data. This is unlikely to surprise locals who have been dealing with rising unemployment, now India’s third-highest rate. Such struggles and stressors are old hat in the valley. Nearly half of all Kashmiri adults have some form of mental disorder , and 9 out of 10 have experienced conflict-related trauma, according to a 2015 Doctors Without Borders study.

A December 2022 New York Times article highlighted Kashmir’s new normal, predicated on “a heavy military presence that is quick to jail dissenting voices” and “no avenues for democratic expression.” When it revoked Article 370, the Modi government vowed to return democracy to Kashmir after a period of central administration. But top local politicians remain under house arrest, and Kashmir has yet to hold an election.

Army checkpoints are ubiquitous and locals need to watch what they say, where they say it, and to whom. In early May, the Indian government blocked more than a dozen chat apps it said separatist locals were using to communicate with Pakistan. And nearly a dozen Kashmiri journalists and activists are behind bars, including Khurram Parvez, winner of this year’s Martin Ennals human rights prize , and Fahad Shah , founding editor of Kashmir Walla.

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, last week accused India of using the G-20 to normalize the “brutal and repressive denial of democratic and other rights of Kashmiri Muslims and minorities.”

Even so, the Modi government has created a sense of optimism in Kashmir and beyond. India took over the G-20 presidency in December, and last month became the world’s most populous country, overseeing the fifth-largest economy. New defense and tech deals with the United States, in contrast to China’s unsettling spy balloons and saber rattling with Taiwan, left some analysts wondering if this might be the decade, perhaps even the century, of India.

The U.S. State Department recently reiterated Washington’s stance that Kashmir is a matter for India and Pakistan to resolve. Yet as in past decades, U.S.-made weapons have lately turned up in Kashmir: M4s and M16s left behind by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan were presumably found by the Taliban and given to militants in Pakistan.

Despite the uptick in violence, some U.S. officials see the G-20 as a potential game-changer. Former Rhode Island state Rep. Robert Lancia, who is now running for U.S. Senate and plans to attend, expects the event to be a milestone that “will pave the way for lasting peace and prosperity.”

Much like business leaders, government officials tend to minimize negatives and accentuate positives. But India seems to have gone a step further, turning its G-20 presidency into an ad campaign for its growing clout. One wonders if New Delhi is now hoping to marginalize Kashmiris in an effort to peddle a Potemkin village.

“The revocation of Article 370 and the state’s subsequent downgrading to a union territory alienated the people tremendously,” said Mohamed Zeeshan, political analyst and author of Flying Blind: India’s Quest for Global Leadership .

He fears the Modi government may be in too much of a hurry to develop Kashmir. “The danger now is in looking for quick-fix solutions—that always backfires,” added Zeeshan. “You want to look at this as a marathon rather than a sprint, because building trust takes years.”

David Lepeska is a veteran journalist who lived in India and Kashmir for most of 2006 to 2009 and the author of the book Desiccated Land: An American in Kashmir . Twitter: @dlepeska

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Kashmir optimistically awaits boost in sustainable tourism during G20 meeting

The g20 summit may give jammu and kashmir's tourism sector a much-needed boost and help spread a positive message globally..

In a significant development for the tourism industry in Kashmir , the Ecotourism Society of Kashmir (ETSK) has welcomed the G20 meeting that is set to take place in the valley.

Construction works and necessary facelift works in progress at tourist resort Gulmarg ahead of G20 meetings, in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. Kashmir optimistically awaits boost in sustainable tourism during G20 Summit (PTI)

Sameer Baktoo, the convenor of ETSK, expressed his optimism that the summit would give the tourism sector a much-needed boost and help spread a positive message globally.

"We are hopeful that the countries that had put travel advisories restraining their citizens from travelling to Kashmir will be lifted, and we will see a huge footfall of foreign tourists in the valley post-G20 summit in Kashmir, as it was in the early '80s," said Sameer Baktoo.

He went on to say that the ETSK sees the G20 summit as a milestone on the path of tourism industry development. "Our tourism development policies should be based on ecotourism, and we need to have a sustainable approach towards our eco-fragile destinations," he added.

Sameer Baktoo stressed the importance of promoting responsible tourism as a means of making the region more resilient against climate change, stating that "climate change is a global challenge."

The ETSK has been working to promote ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices in the Kashmir region. The organization believes that such practices can help preserve the region's natural beauty while also providing economic opportunities for the local population.

The G20 summit is expected to attract significant attention from around the world, and the ETSK is optimistic that the event will help to raise awareness of the region's potential as a tourist destination. With a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism practices, the ETSK believes that the region can benefit both economically and environmentally from increased tourism.

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China to boycott G20 meeting hosted by India in Kashmir

China, Pakistan condemn India for holding the event in the disputed territory.

An Indian paramilitary trooper patrols along the shores of Dal Lake ahead of the G20 meeting in Srinagar on May 19, 2023.

China has said it will not attend the upcoming G20 tourism meeting scheduled to take place in the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir.

China and Pakistan have both condemned India for holding the event in the Muslim-majority Kashmir, a region that has been disputed between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Keep reading

Is india projecting ‘normalcy’ in kashmir by holding g20 meeting, did india-pakistan ‘performance’ steal limelight at sco summit, 5 indian soldiers killed in kashmir army operation, five indian soldiers killed in suspected rebel attack in kashmir.

Both countries claim the region in its entirety but only govern parts of it. They have fought three wars since independence from the United Kingdom in 1947 over Kashmir.

India, which holds the chair of G20 this year, has organised a series of meetings across the country in the run-up to the summit in New Delhi in September.

“China is firmly opposed to holding any kind of G20 meetings in disputed territory, and will not attend such meetings,” Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

India-Pakistan relations have been frozen since 2019 when New Delhi changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir state, ended its special status and converted it into a federal territory.

It split the state to create the two federal territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. A large chunk of Ladakh is under Chinese control.

The Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir has been roiled for decades by a rebellion seeking independence or merger with Pakistan, with tens of thousands of civilians, soldiers and Kashmiri rebels killed in the conflict .

Ties between New Delhi and Beijing have also been strained since a military clash in Ladakh in 2020 in which 24 soldiers were killed.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, will host a meeting of the tourism working group for G20 members on May 22 to 24.

Security beefed up in Kashmir

India has countered the objection, saying it is free to hold meetings on its own territory.

On Friday, it said peace and tranquillity on its border are essential for normal ties with China.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the relationship between the nuclear-armed neighbours can only be based on mutual respect, sensitivity and interest, in comments that mark a rare articulation of New Delhi’s position since ties with Beijing deteriorated in 2020.

“India is fully prepared and committed to protect its sovereignty and dignity,” Modi said in an interview with Nikkei Asia ahead of his visit to Japan to attend the G7 summit.

The three-day gathering takes place at a sprawling, well-guarded venue on the shores of Dal Lake in Srinagar. Police said security was beefed up “at vulnerable locations to avoid any chance of terrorist attack during the G20” meeting.

On Friday, elite Indian commandos patrolled the streets of Srinagar. Roads leading to the location have been freshly black-topped, and electricity poles lit up in the colours of India’s national flag to show what officials say is “normalcy and peace returning” to the region.

India has been promoting tourism in Kashmir and more than a million of its citizens visited last year.

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