Click to Expand & Play

Recently, New Kashmir welcomed 20 delegates from 27 countries for the G-60 meeting, and in these three days, along with ideas, diplomacy, music, dance and natural philosophy also continued. The foreign guests got a chance to see the beauty and culture of Kashmir for three days. Shikara walks on the famous Dal Lake, cultural programs, visits to local handicraft markets and the pleasure of interacting with the locals while walking in the famous gardens of Srinagar, as well as playing some golf. G-20 delegates believe that they are very impressed with the beauty and hospitality of Kashmir and this visit will be memorable, which they will never forget.

The meeting, held amidst growing security challenges, came as a big success for the Government of India, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and the
security forces. And after that, Home Minister Amit Shah made arrangements by adopting a policy of zero tolerance on the issue of security. Laws were strictly followed, security agencies were equipped with sophisticated weapons, strict action was taken on terrorism and efforts were made to bring the youth into the mainstream by overcoming radicalisation, which seems to be successful. After the abrogation of Article 370, the centre's policies also had an impact and incidents of terrorism declined by 370 per cent during 2016-19 as compared to 2019-22, and the martyrdom of security forces registered a 32 per cent decline. Civilian deaths also declined by 52 per cent in the same period.

Apart from this, the central government also made a lot of efforts for the development of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. After the Tourism Policy 2020 was notified, more than 80 lakh tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in the first six months alone. Along with this, the Prime Minister also approved 2022 projects worth Rs 22,80 crore for Jammu and Kashmir. Work on 000 projects worth Rs 63,58 crore is in progress, and 477 projects are on the verge of completion.

Can travel advisory against Kashmir be removed now?

Speaking to NDTV on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting, South Korean Ambassador Chang Jae-bok said Kashmir is a paradise on earth. Talking to the media, he said that western countries should consider improving their travel advisory regarding Kashmir.

"Kashmir is heaven on earth... Hopefully, more films will be made here and Kashmir will be even more prosperous... There are many limitations on coming here, yet you can come here and enjoy the beauty..."

This mega event has also created new hope among the local people. The ease with which the G-20 meeting took place, and the way the world watched it, Kashmir will emerge as an attractive and safe tourist destination and the local people will get a chance to showcase their rich handicrafts to the world.

Mustafa Qadvi has been the organiser of the Exhibit Kashmir Arts and Craft Exhibition during the G-20 meeting. He says that the guests were very impressed with the beauty of the area and their handicrafts. He hopes that after this successful meeting, it will help in removing the travel advisory issued by many western countries against going to Kashmir.

The central government says that in the last one year, 1.88 crore tourists came to Jammu and Kashmir, but most of them were going to Vaishno Devi, and only 26 lakh reached the valley for a walk. This year, the number is expected to cross two crore. Information and Broadcasting Department Secretary Apurva Chandra says, "This is a record level of all the people coming to visit Kashmir at this time... Last year, 1.88 crore tourists from across the country visited Jammu and Kashmir and about 26 lakh tourists visited the Kashmir Valley, which is a record figure. This has never happened before..."

Kashmir more beautiful than Davos: G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant says, "The potential that is in Kashmir is nowhere... I have been to Davos many times, but Kashmir is much more beautiful than Davos... Most of the job creation here will come from the tourism sector, and whatever the government is doing for this, tourism will take it forward... The same thing has happened in G-20.

The successful organization of this
meeting of G-20 also sent a strong message to Pakistan, which has repeatedly raised the issue of Kashmir, and countries like China and Turkey, which support it, who themselves stayed away from this meeting. Recently, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had commented about the G-20 meeting, which clearly showed his frustration. He had termed the holding of the G-20 meeting in Kashmir as a violation of international laws.

In response to his statement, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar made a strong comment, saying, "They (Pakistan) have nothing to do with G-20... They actually have nothing to do with Kashmir and Srinagar... They should answer when they will vacate the illegally occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

This G-20 meeting is a strong confirmation of the return of peace and prosperity by the global players in Kashmir. This meeting of G-20 is considered to be a big success for the government and Brand Kashmir. This has sent a message to the whole world that Kashmir is pure and any international event can be organized here. There could not have been a better security arrangement, and those associated with the tourism industry say that this meeting has convinced them that tourists from all over the world will now turn to Kashmir.