Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

G20 tourism meet in Kashmir: India doubles down on security in valley

The three-day gathering will be held in a heavily guarded venue situated along the picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar

G20 tourism meet in Kashmir: India doubles down on security in valley

Commencing on Monday (22), a G20 tourism meeting began in Indian-administered Kashmir amidst increased security measures, triggering criticism from China and Pakistan due to the disputed status of the territory.

In anticipation of the G20 meeting, which marks the first diplomatic event in the region since New Delhi's revocation of its limited autonomy and assumption of direct control in 2019, security has been significantly bolstered to mitigate the risk of potential terrorist attacks.


The three-day gathering will be held in a heavily guarded venue situated along the picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar.

In a symbolic display of perceived stability and tranquillity in the region, roads leading to the event venue have been freshly paved, and the illumination of electricity poles in the colours of India's national flag signifies the officials' assertion of "normalcy and peace returning" to Kashmir.

India has been actively promoting tourism in the region, resulting in over a million Indian citizens visiting Kashmir last year. However, Chinese delegates will not be participating in the meeting.

Tensions between India and its northern neighbour persist, as both nations are currently engaged in a military standoff along their largely unmarked border in the Ladakh region. Additionally, Beijing asserts its claim over the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet and considers Kashmir as a disputed territory.

"China firmly opposes holding any form of G20 meeting in disputed territory and will not attend such meetings," foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters on Friday.

Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia are reportedly also unlikely to join.

As the holder of the G20 presidency for 2023, India has meticulously organised over 100 meetings throughout the country, reaffirming its commitment to successful global cooperation.

Notably, China has chosen to abstain from participating in events held in both Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Additionally, Pakistan, a non-G20 member, maintains control over a smaller portion of Kashmir and vehemently criticised the decision to hold the tourism meeting in the disputed territory, arguing that it violated international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.

Under the intensified security measures, residents have experienced growing discontent, with hundreds being held in police stations, and numerous individuals, including shopkeepers, receiving calls from officials cautioning them against engaging in any form of protest or causing disturbances.

(AFP)

More For You

Sunita-Williams-Reuters

Sunita Williams was part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission and had been stranded in space for over nine months. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters)

India looks amazing from space, says Sunita Williams

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams described India as "amazing" from space and expressed her intention to visit her "father's home country" to share her experiences on space exploration.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, she responded to a question about how India appeared from space and the possibility of collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Keep ReadingShow less
british-muslims-iStock

The study noted that this identification was not due to any doctrinal obligation but was influenced by the perception that many Muslims do not feel fully accepted as British. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Majority of British Muslims identify by faith first, study finds

A STUDY by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life (IIFL) has found that most British Muslims identify primarily with their religion rather than their nationality.

The research, based on a survey of 815 British Muslim adults by Whitestone Insight, revealed that 71 per cent of respondents identified as Muslim first, while 27 per cent identified as British, English, or Scottish first.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car Tax Changes: EV Owners Now Required to Pay for the First Time

Owners of electric vehicles registered on or after 1 April 2025 will pay £10 for the first year, followed by the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Car tax changes take effect: EV owners to pay for first time

FROM today, 1 April 2025, electric cars, vans, and motorcycles in the UK will be subject to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) for the first time.

The change, introduced in the 2022 Autumn Statement by former Conservative Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, aims to make motoring taxation fairer.

Keep ReadingShow less
scotland-minimum-wages-iStock

Full-time workers on the National Living Wage will receive an annual pay increase of £1,400 in real terms. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Wage increase takes effect for thousands of workers in Scotland

HUNDREDS of thousands of workers in Scotland will see a pay increase as new National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates take effect from Tuesday.

The changes will benefit approximately 220,000 people, according to STV News.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-energy-bill-iStock

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

April bill increases put financial strain on single parents

A RANGE of essential household bills are increasing from April, with Citizens Advice warning that single parents will be among the hardest hit.

Water bills, energy prices, and council tax are rising, while the minimum wage has also increased, BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less