In December 2022When India took over the presidency of the G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was a “unique opportunity” for the nation to “showcase the country’s strength”. He said India’s G20 chairmanship would set a global example of “people’s participation” and project the country’s states and union territories (UTs) as attractive global investment and tourism destinations.
Therefore, the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group (TWG) summit in the serene Kashmir Valley on May 22 assumes special significance not only for opening up the treasure trove of the region’s tourism sector but also for people’s participation to showcase India’s might.
Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and picturesque Siliguri in West Bengal were the destinations for the first two tourism working group Meetings in February and April respectively. However, apart from emphasizing India’s bold geopolitical stand on Kashmir, the destination for the third meeting of the TWG provides an opportunity for the G20 dignitaries to witness the vast tourism potential of the Kashmir Valley. For thousands of families directly dependent on tourism and farming, the meet will provide a platform to promote local traditionsKashmir’s world famous products like handloom, pashmina, dry fruits and saffron.
The meeting will be an opportunity for all sections of Kashmiri society to participate in the global agenda Green, Inclusive and Resilient Tourism Development, Keeping in mind the tourism potential of Kashmir and the eco-sensitive nature of the Valley, the TWG meeting will enable the local administration to learn from global best practices for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). An important step will also be to finalize the meeting Goa Declaration sustainable tourism in june
From terrorism to tourism
The pristine beauty of the Kashmir Valley has earned it the nickname ‘Paradise on Earth’. In 1988, it saw the arrival 700,000’s tourists, including about 75,000 foreigners. However, the peace and tranquility of the Kashmir Valley was shattered in 1989 when Pakistan and its Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) lured the people of the Kashmir Valley and sent thousands of trained terrorists to launch armed conflict and terrorism. Pakistan-sponsored terrorists ruined the normal functioning of society, claimed thousands of lives and bled the economy, especially the tourism sector.
As violence escalated with more than 1,500 incidents of bombings and shootings, only 200,000 tourists Visited the valley in 1989. After 1989, the number of these tourists from Europe, the United States (US) and other parts of the world decreased, adding to the economic woes of Kashmiris. America and many European countries designated Kashmir a no-go zone and issued a travel advisory From time to time Due to the serious security concerns posed by Pakistani terrorists. Between 1990 and 1991, tourist arrivals totaled 6,287, mostly domestic, a decline of 98 percent since 1989. Most of the tourism infrastructure was either burnt by the terrorists or used for other purposes, which put the valley in severe economic crisis.
However, after the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A that granted temporary special status to Jammu and Kashmir under the Constitution of India, the Kashmir Valley has witnessed positive psychological and socio-economic changes. The region has once again emerged as a favorite tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists. in 2022, more over 18.8 million Tourists visited the Union Territory (UT), the highest in 75 years of India’s independence. eat tourism 7-8 percent of UT’s GDP and generates revenue of INR 80 billion annually, This sector provides direct or indirect employment to approx. 100,000 people, According to the Comprehensive Tourism Policy of 2020, Jammu and Kashmir aims to To attract an investment of INR 20 billion in the tourism sector for the next five yearsContribute to the creation of more local jobs.
Thirty-three years after 1989, there has been a decline in militancy, and a steady change has been observed in the security environment of the Valley. Public participation in the “quasi-violence” unleashed by Pakistan, such as stone-pelting incidents and hartal calls, has largely disappeared. For example, There were 1,412 incidents of stone-pelting in 2017, which increased to 1,488 and 1,999 in 2018 and 2019., respectively. Since 2021, not a single such semi-violent incident has been reported in the Valley Event, Inspired by the return of peace, the UT Administration launches a rural homestay project in 2022 with special assistance of INR 50,000 for each unit, keeping Keeping in view the increasing number of tourists and SDG targets. As of December 2022, there are at least 200 homestays available with OYO, and domestic and foreign tourists enjoy rural culture, food and traditions along with warm hospitality.
The return of foreign investment to the Valley is also a reliable measure of the success of the local administration in ensuring peace in the region, which is an essential condition for the safety of tourists. In March 2023, Kashmir first saw Foreign direct investment of Rs 500 crore, commencing construction of a shopping and office complex with Dubai-based Emaar Enterprises. Furthermore, with the fervent support of UNESCO, the administration launched a facelift of Srinagar district under the National Smart Cities Mission. INR 30 billionWith a time-bound completion in 2023.
After the temporary provisions of Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated, Kashmiris also realized that self-reform for economic revival and economic reconstruction is the only way to develop a better future. The common people in the valley want to participate in the inclusive development of tourism and other economic sectors. They are convinced that the G20 summit offers a developmental vision based on an aspirational, integrated, green, inclusive and resilient tourism model that will promote local handloom products and other artisans.
Pakistan with some local separatist support will make persistent efforts to sabotage the upcoming G20 TWG meeting in Srinagar for its own narrow interests. Pakistan has expressed its intentions on the arrival of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. killed five soldiers In a terrorist attack in the border district of Rajouri. The attack was carried out by the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), an offshoot of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), which has openly and clearly identified Upcoming G20 Events In Srinagar as the next target. It has also launched a global boycott campaign. However, only China and TürkiyeE has become a victim of such illegal propaganda and will not attend the Srinagar meeting. However, the people of the Kashmir Valley are upbeat. For them, the TWG meeting provides a unique opportunity for the world’s most prosperous economies to showcase the region’s abundant natural wealth and tourism opportunities. Tourism in the valley has seen a dramatic revival since 2019. After the withdrawal of travel advice, it is set to see a surge in high-end tourists. The event will enhance the general atmosphere of positivity, generate much needed economic opportunities, and also contribute to the ideological integration of the youth of the Valley with the rest of India.
Ejaz Wani is a Fellow of the Strategic Studies Program at the Observer Research Foundation. Thoughts are personal.
this article was Originally Published on the ORF website.