G20 SUMMIT IN KASHMIR: THE IMPACT

The G20 summit is held annually, under the leadership of a rotating Presidency. The G20 initially emphasized largely on broad macro-economic issues, but it has expanded its agenda to issues such at trade, climate change, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption measures.This year Jammu and Kashmir will be hosting some of the meetings of the G20 summit. This will be the first major international summit to be held in Jammu and Kashmir after article 370 was withdrawn by government. After taking over the presidency of the group, India is hosting this summit in Kashmir, which is a clear indication of a big political and diplomatic assertion at the global stage. Major global economies including US, Canada, China. Australia, UK and Germany will participate in this summit. Hosting the summit in Kashmir is something more than just diplomatic beauty.  Its significance is connected in its history and heritage, representing unique confluence of culture, ethos and language. Another reason for hosting here could be to highlight the massive tourism potential of Kashmir. Whatever the reason may be, the government of Jammu and Kashmir should take this as an opportunity to showcase that they are open for the world community and are capable of hosting any such important events in the future. They also should take this as an opportunity to show the world what is actually happening in Kashmir. The local inputs are needed for better coverage of plans as also to invoke the spirit of participation. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who himself is a politician of repute, knows how significant it is to manage the local sensitivities and sensibilities.Two major issues to be focused are first, to showcase that any such major event can be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir without any fear of dark shadows of the past wandering in the backdrop. Second, it should be made a people’s event for which the officials are making appropriate arrangements, but more important is the feeling of ownership & responsibility by the locals as something is happening for them at the place where they belong.This summit could be impactful in years to come as the people of Kashmir would gain a lot socially & economically. It would be an honest attempt to convey the international community that the status of Kashmir as a conflict zone has vanished.

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