This year, India opted to host 200 meetings and activities in 50 locations around the nation as their G-20 presidency. Beijing and Islamabad have expressed opposition to meetings that have already taken place in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh, respectively, as well as the one scheduled to take place in Srinagar from May 22u201324.
Source: CNBC TV18
China has claimed over 90,000 sq km of land in Arunachal, has seized Aksai Chin in Ladakh, and has been recalcitrantly occupying significant portions of land in Ladakh since 2020.
Pakistan asserts that J&K is their territory and that it is the unfinished business of Partition. China, a G-20 member, opted not to attend meetings in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, and it would also not take part in the next Srinagar joint working group conference on tourism. Turkey is also abstaining from the Srinagar event to demonstrate sympathy with Pakistan, as is China.
Saudi Arabia, which had first voiced some concerns over India holding the event in J&K, has changed its mind. As it has done in other regions of the nation, India has done well to host international events in J&K, Ladakh, and Arunachal.
The message to the international community is that India would continue to engage in development initiatives, organise public gatherings and meetings, and welcome dignitaries from around the world.
There are further lessons to be learned from hosting high-profile events in these locations. Infrastructure growth is accelerated. Previously linked with foreign conflicts in the public consciousness, host cities and their surrounding areas now receive favourable media attention that attracts tourists, boosting local livelihoods and economies.
Source: ANI News
Even while India has made a strong statement by holding events in J&K and Arunachal and will impress delegates with the freshly clean waters of the Dal Lake and spruced-up bunkers along the boulevard, much more must be done to cement India’s authority over these states and Union Territories. Controlling these areas alone is insufficient. Winning the hearts and minds of the locals is more crucial.
They must be invested in India, its founding ideals, and the values it upholds. In Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, establishing sovereignty entails refusing to cede land. Therefore, hosting events is only a step, albeit a step in the correct direction.
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