Srinagar G20 meeting photo (PTI)
from today in srinagar G20 Tourism Group (G20 Kashmir Meeting) The meeting has started. Prior to the meeting, Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh has said that this meeting being held on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar is a special opportunity to highlight the richness of art and heritage to the world. This meeting in Srinagar will continue till May 24. But three important member countries of G20 are not attending this meeting.
Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh has said that more than 60 regional cultural representatives from different countries are participating in this meeting. But the representatives of China, Turkey and Saudi are not attending. According to the information, the Delhi-based embassy of any of these countries has not given any answer regarding participation in the meeting. The question is arising, is their non-participation a sign of boycott?
China had already denied
Regarding the ongoing meeting in Srinagar, China had already told that it will not participate in this program. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had said that China opposes holding any kind of G-20 meeting in any disputed area and will not attend such meetings.
Although China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia are the member countries of G-20. Earlier, China had not attended the G-20 meetings in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh. He considers it a disputed territory. His intention behind not sending the delegation to Srinagar is being understood. Obviously China is supporting Pakistan by taking this step.
Three member countries of OIC absent
Union Tourism Secretary Arvind Singh told a press conference in Delhi on May 19 that a total of 60 international delegates have registered so far for the meeting to be held from May 22 to 24. In which 17 countries have confirmed their participation so far. But China, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia have not registered.
Actually Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt are member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). All these countries have been opponents and critics of the development and changes taken by India in Jammu and Kashmir. However other OIC members like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Oman and UAE have confirmed their participation in the event.
Which 17 countries of G20 participated
The member countries of G20 who attended the Srinagar meeting are- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom, America European Union. When China, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia are absent from this meeting.
Promotion of film tourism
It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Tourism is also organizing dedicated programs to encourage film tourism among international and domestic employees. Officials have said that suggestions will also be given to encourage filmmakers to shoot at many places across the country. One of the goals of the government is to unveil the draft of the National Film Tourism Strategy in the meeting.
Also read: Why did Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto reach PoK during the G20 meeting in Srinagar?
