Importance Of G-20 Summit For Kashmir

Group of 20 or G-20 is an organization of 20 countries including European Union which works towards major global economical issues. It was founded on 26 September 1999 and has major economic power countries of the world as its members. Since the year 2008; it is convened once in a year and represented by heads of the state or government at the meeting. The finance minister or foreign minister or other cabinet minister of the country also represent on certain occasions. The organization was created with an aim to formulate certain guidelines to address global financial, climatic and other important issues with cooperation between the leading countries. India, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United States, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and European Union are members of G-20. Member countries of European Union are represented through their Union. Chairmanship of the Union is held by a member Country for one year and at present it is India which is having the Chairmanship of G-20. There are also certain guest invitee countries like Spain, United Nations, World Bank, African Union and ASEAN.

The G-20 meeting being attended by heads of the member States will be held on 09-10 September 2023 at New Delhi. A large number of topics related to global economic concern, environmental changes, green house emission, international trade and energy infrastructure, agricultural, public health, education, tourism, digital economy and cyber security, disaster management are planned to be discussed through representatives of member countries prior to the main summit in September 2023 at New Delhi. The 3^rd Tourism Working Group Meeting of G-20 countries will be held at Srinagar between 22-24 May 2023. Adequate preparations have been done at all levels to make the 3^rd tourism Working Group Meeting being held at Srinagar; capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a grand success. It is a major event being held in the valley in last more than three decades and found to have a big positive impact on the social, political and economic life of the Union Territory. The first and second Tourism Working Group Meeting have been held at Rann of Kutch in Gujrat (07 to 10 February 2023) and at Siliguri in West Bangal (01 to 03 April 2023).

The previous year has seen record turnout of tourists in Kashmir. It is stated that 1.62 crore tourists visited Kashmir between 01 January to 31 October 2022 and total number in the calendar year touched nearly 02 crores. With the socio-political scenario returning towards normalcy; more and more tourists are heading towards Kashmir which has been a historically popular destination since ages. It is believed that the member countries of G-20 together account for about 75% Gross Domestic Product of the world and investment of capital is going to take place in Kashmir to boost up tourism which is already on the path of revival. The G-20 meeting will not only popularize Kashmir on national platform but will also spread its importance at the world level. Over a period of time; lots of false and negative narrative has been painted by adversaries about Kashmir but now it is time that the world community should know and appreciate the normalcy returning to Kashmir.

With G-20 summit being held in the valley; the infrastructure is going to improve that will enable accommodating more number of tourists. It will lead to creation of more job opportunities which is the need of the hour in the Union Territory. Providing better education, better health services, better connectivity and better communication are going to be associated fruitful outcomes of development-oriented projects that will pour in with world level advertisement of Kashmir as a tourist destination.

It is definitely a big leap in the direction of bringing more development and prosperity in the Kashmir valley. As responsible citizens of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, it is our duty to contribute our bit towards successful organising of the vent; only then the associated benefits will follow and take our land towards restoration of glory.

Ideas, Opinions and Views expressed in articles are Writer’s own and may not be in accord with those of The Morn