Srinagar decked up, G20 summit to begin today amid tight security

With multi-tiered security measures in place to successfully organise its first significant international event following the repeal of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir is prepared to host the third tourism working group conference of G20 nations in the capital city Srinagar from Monday to Wednesday.

The convention will take place in the Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), which is located across Dal Lake, under India’s presidency. It is anticipated that more than 180 representatives, including 60 from G20 nations, would participate.

Union Ministers G.Kishan Reddy and Dr Jitendra Singh will address the official inaugural ceremony of the 3rd G20 Tourism meeting scheduled to be held at Srinagar.

Two significant working sessions, one on “Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation” with an emphasis on methods to promote film tourism and the other on “Eco tourism,” will take place after the official opening ceremony. Additionally, the delegates will have time for bilateral discussions.

As per sources, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, the very fact that the G20 meeting is being held in Srinagar is in itself an indication of the change that has happened over the last 9 years, particularly after the pathbreaking initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Although the registration deadline is May 22, some member nations still haven’t done so. China and Turkey haven’t registered for the G20 summit, according to people familiar with the situation. China presumably made this choice in response to Pakistan, a close ally, objecting to the summit being held in a “disputed territory,” while Turkey has criticised India for how it has handled the Kashmir crisis in the past.

Reportedly, three-tier system security has been placed around the venue at SKICC. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos have been conducting mock drills on the lake since Friday. Apart from this, for a peaceful event, police, BSF, and SSB personnel are being deployed on the ground.

According to traffic department advice, traffic on the Boulevard route will be detoured beginning on Monday due to the international event, and access to the SKICC from Nehru Park and Gupkar to Kraksangri will be restricted.