China has stated its opposition to hosting a G20 summit in Kashmir, while Turkey and Saudi Arabia are yet to announce their participation in the event in Srinagar. Wang Wenbin, the Foreign Ministrys spokesperson, said that China firmly opposes convening G20 meetings in disputed territories and will not join such events.In response to the protest, India reaffirmed its right to hold meetings on its own land. India emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and security along the borders in order to promote normal relations with China. The third G20 Tourism Working Group conference is scheduled for May 22-24 in Srinagar, despite increased security measures in the region.Kashmir preparing for the upcoming G20 summit (Image: Twitter)The meeting is significant since it is the first large global gathering in Jammu and Kashmir after the states special status was removed in 2019, resulting in the split of the state into two union territories. Around 60 G20 representatives are likely to attend the summit in Srinagar, a significant reduction from the earlier anticipation of around 100 people.Preparations for the eventAccording to sources, Turkey has opted not to attend the meeting, while Saudi Arabia has yet to enrol. Srinagar now has a comprehensive security setup in place, with Marine commandos and National Security Guards (NSG) providing ground-to-air security coverage. The Marines, sometimes known as Marcos, are in charge of securing Dal Lake and the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), the G20 meetings official venue. The NSG commandos have been undertaking area domination drills with the police and paramilitary forces, including searches in Lal Chowk. Security officers have also searched houseboats, which are famous constructions showcasing Kashmirs culture and traditions.Image: TwitterAccording to authorities, the G20 event in Srinagar intends to promote Kashmirs tourism potential while conveying a message to the world that it is an important part of India. The involvement of G20 nations, the worlds most powerful club, is seen as a validation of Indias viewpoint. There are signs that terrorist organisations may seek to disrupt the G20 meeting through a big attack. Massive security operations are being carried out to stop such attempts, with the Army, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Jammu and Kashmir Police all working together to strengthen the regions security network.
