Pakistan has strongly objected to India’s decision to host the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar on 22-24 May 2023
By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
The G20 is the forum of 19 countries and the European Union that addresses major issues concerning the global economy, including sustainable development, international financial stability, and climate change mitigation. It comprises most of the world’s largest economies, accounting for 80% of gross world product, 75% of international trade, two-third of the global population, and 60% of the world’s land area.
India’s decision to host G20 events in IIOJK is just another self-serving measure aimed at perpetuating its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
G20 was established in 1999 in response to global economic crises, and since 2008, it has met at least once a year, with summits involving the heads of governments or states, finance ministers, foreign ministers, and other high-ranking officials of each of the member country.
India is set to host the eighteenth summit meeting of the G20 on 9th – 10th September 2023, following Indonesia’s presidency during the seventeenth summit in Bali. The presidency rotates among all member states annually. Although the presidency will be transferred to another member country in September 2023, however, it will be effective from January 2024.
Pakistan has strongly objected to India’s decision to host the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar on 22-24 May 2023. Pakistan is equally concerned about the schedule of two other meetings of a consultative forum on youth affairs (Y-20) in Leh and Srinagar in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan has condemned these moves by India, considering them a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and international law as well as a disregard for the principles of the UN Charter.
Pakistan has condemned these moves by India, considering them a violation of the UN Security Council resolutions and international law as well as a disregard for the principles of the UN Charter.
India’s decision to host G20 events in IIOJK is just another self-serving measure aimed at perpetuating its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. These activities cannot divert international attention from India’s brutal suppression of the people of IIOJK and its illegal attempts to change the demographic composition of the illegally occupied territory. India is exploiting its G20 membership to advance its self-serving agenda.
It is essential to note that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory recognized by the UN, with several resolutions that need to be implemented. According to the UN, the people of the occupied territory have the right to self-determination, and holding a plebiscite to determine whether they wish to stay with India or Pakistan is mandatory. India has been delaying the implementation of these resolutions and avoiding its responsibilities in the region.
India’s decision to host international events in a disputed territory has angered China and Pakistan equally. The local population is also against such activities and may protest accordingly. India’s leadership should adopt a rational approach and avoid further complicating the situation. Any attempt to disrupt regional and global peace should be dealt with strictly under the UN Charter, and the international community must come forward to resolve the concerns of Kashmiri peoples, Pakistan, and China.
India has confrontational and hostile relations with it all neighbors, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
While the world is moving towards reconciliation, and realignment, India are still posing confrontational stances and spoiling environments conducive to peace. Kashmir is a flashpoint between the three nuclear powers; China, India, and Pakistan, and any misadventure could result in an unimaginable human disaster. India must act with responsibility and create an atmosphere for peace, stability and coexistence.
It is worth mentioning that, India has confrontational and hostile relations with it all neighbors, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Trade issues, territorial & border disputes, ethnic rows, religious and cultural differences with its neighbors are the root cause of unrest in the region. India need to create harmony, and understanding with its immediate neighbours.
While world leaders are going to meet at G20, they are urged to convince India for peace, and understanding with other countries in the region, especially with the bordering countries. Diffusion of tension, removal of misunderstandings, and overcoming all differences through peaceful diplomatic negotiations, paving the way for peace would be the recipe for development and prosperity of the entire region.
The writer is the Founding Chair GSRRA, Sinologist, ex-Diplomat, Editor, Analyst, and Non-Resident Fellow of Center for China and Globalization. He can be reached via awanzamir@yahoo.com
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