G-20 events in Kashmir a message that JK is integral part of India, says senior Kashmir columnist

In an OpEd in Eurasia Review, Wani writes: "Hosting international events such as the G-20 summit in a state like Jammu and Kashmir can be a reward that helps to promote economic corridors and showcase India’s achievements in the previously turmoiled region. The visit of the Group of 20 countries to Kashmir is like reentering paradise, which was hit by terrorism and was put under political and economic deadlock. Therefore, the presence of the G-20 can inspire people to move forward."

He said Pakistan’s over-obsession with Kashmir, and its vociferous objection to India hosting a G-20 event in this Union Territory (UT) is not surprising as it has been raising this issue at every forum irrespective of its relevance to the agenda under discussion.

"Even though its rhetoric goes unheard and at times even ends in embarrassment, Islamabad still refuses to accept the fact that its Kashmir narrative virtually has no takers," he wrote.

He said India successfully shut all doors of violence and transformed Kashmir into a global hub of tourism, as well as an international economic corridor by inviting international economic summits.

"The once turbulent state of India has finally choked off the oxygen to terrorism and separatism," he wrote.

"Now that it has raised objections to New Delhi holding a G-20 event held in Kashmir, the obvious question that arises is whether Pakistan is in a position to prevent India from holding G-20-related events and the summit later this year? Even an amateur will tell you that the current situation and developments taking place across the border suggests a definite ‘No’ and the reason is simple. One, despite Islamabad’s claim of J&K being ‘disputed territory’, the UN and International community rightly accepts J&K is an integral part of India," senior journalist wrote.

He said there was a time when life was completely paralyzed in Kashmir but things have changed now as "the wounded paradise is now hailing from Asia’s beautiful Dal Lake, the fragrance of tulip gardens, and showcasing paradise to tourists from around the world, generating business, boosting the economy, and energizing school children in a peaceful and joyful environment."

He said people are fed up with the violence emanating from Pakistan-backed groups in Kashmir.

He said Islamabad lacks diplomatic leverage to muster any worthwhile support for its Kashmir stance, or dissuade G-20 member nations from attending meetings in J&K.

"It failed to get the international community to force New Delhi to restore Article 370 and while Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) may issue some statements vaguely supporting Pakistan, all its members (except Pakistan) have maintained extremely cordial relations with India. UAE has even signed MoUs with the J & K Government for several infrastructural development projects running into millions of dollars," he wrote.   

Wani pointed out the bankrupt condition of Pakistan and loss of its diplomatic leverage to create any problem for India.

"....the international community would be well aware of the miserable conditions in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as videos of its desperate residents scrambling for rations and protesting against non-availability of essential commodities have gone viral on social media. In contrast, the absence of public protests and stone pelting by unruly mobs in Kashmir Valley is a clear indicator that the locals are happy and content with measures taken by the authorities to ensure their well-being," he wrote.

"Hence, holding G-20 related events in J&K is a great opportunity for New Delhi to unambiguously reiterate once again that J&K is, and will always remain, an integral part of the Indian Union. It will facilitate showing the delegates that Kashmir Valley’s Muslim majority population takes immense pride in being Indians. This will expose Islamabad’s brazen lies that Kashmiris are being religiously persecuted and marginalised in the UT of J&K.