NEW DELHI: Pakistan has reacted sharply to the decision of G20 President India to hold the G20 Working Group on Tourism meeting in Srinagar, 22-24 May, 2023. In a statement Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed in a Press Release posted on Twitter on 11 April, 2023 its ‘strong indignation’ over the decision. It has called the decision ‘irresponsible’ condemning the meet plan. It says, “India is again exploiting its membership of an important international grouping for advancing its self-serving aganda.”
According to the IANS, ” For the Tourism Working Group, a grand meeting is scheduled at Srinagar Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar on 22-24 May, 2023. Arrangements have been made for the guests’ visits to the Dachigam National Park and the world-famous tourist resort of Gulmarg. Officials said that almost all arrangements related to security and hospitality of the guests are being finalised.
Under the Government of India’s Smart City Mission, the capital city of Srinagar is being spruced up at a large scale. Currently the face-lifting and remodelling works are in progress in Srinagar’s Civil Lines where Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is dismantling the old iconic Bajaj Clock Tower and raising a fresh one with modern value additions.
Commissioner SMC, Athar Aamir Khan, has issued a public appeal, imploring the residents to contribute to the city’s beautification ahead of the G-20 event in Srinagar. “It is an occasion for enhancing the reputation of the city as a famed tourist destination known for scenic beauty, traditional architecture and hospitality of the people. While the government is making necessary arrangements for the upliftment of the city, it is important that the citizens also play their part in sprucing up the city and making the event a grand success”, said the SMC’s appeal to the citizens.”
The G20 is constituted by Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the US and the European Union. India has invited guest countries Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE.
A report in The Hindu says, ” Diplomatic sources said all the G-20 nations have received a formal invitation for the meeting, but most countries said it was too early to comment on their participation. It will be interesting to see how Saudi Arabia and Turkey, both members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as well as the G-20 grouping, react to the invitation.”
- Inputs from IANS, ANI, The Hindu.
