As New Delhi sticks to its obduracy and goes ahead with hosting the G20 Tourism Working Group in the illegally Indian occupied Kashmir’s major city Srinagar despite opposition by prominent member countries to the venue selection, Islamabad views the move as an affront to the principles of the international law and to justify India’s continued occupation of the territory.
No doubt, the G20 meeting, scheduled to open today (Monday) in the disputed region, has sparked controversy and raised concerns among member countries. India’s decision to host the meeting in the valley, which has long been a subject of contention between India and Pakistan, has led to China, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia pulling out of the event. Media reports also state that Egypt, which is not a member of the bloc but has been invited as a guest, has also not yet registered for the event. These withdrawals are based on legitimate concerns regarding the venue selection, which could potentially be seen as an endorsement of India’s continued occupation of the valley. This move risks exacerbating tensions between India and Pakistan while undermining the spirit of international cooperation and diplomacy that the G20 stands for.
The region of Kashmir has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan for decades. The international community has also recognized the disputed nature of the region, and various resolutions of the United Nations and agreements have called for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and plebiscite.
China, one of the prominent members of the G20, has decided to withdraw from the meeting against the choice of venue. It argues that holding the event in a disputed region legitimizes India’s occupation and undermines the ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution. China’s withdrawal is significant given its strategic alliance with Pakistan and its own territorial disputes with India in other regions.
Additionally, other member countries have also expressed concerns about the venue selection. These nations, mindful of the fragile security situation and potential for heightened tensions, have opted to abstain from the G20 meeting as well. Their withdrawal highlights the unease and reservations shared by many over the implications of endorsing the meeting’s location.
The G20 is an essential platform for international cooperation, dialogue and addressing global challenges. It brings together major economies to discuss pressing issues such as economic growth, sustainable development, health and agriculture, poverty alleviation and climate change. However, by hosting the meeting in a disputed region, India risks diverting the focus away from these crucial matters and instead drawing attention to its territorial claims.
Moreover, this decision hampers the spirit of cooperation and trust among member nations. It sets a precedent where a member state can use an international forum to further its national interests and potentially escalate regional tensions. Such actions undermine the very purpose of the G20 and can hinder future collaboration on critical global issues.
It is imperative that the international community encourages a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict through the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people, and dialogue and adherence to international law. The G20, as a platform for global cooperation, should be a forum for addressing pressing global challenges rather than becoming entangled in regional disputes.
