Opinion | Significance of Hosting G20 in Kashmir!

After the abrogation of Article 370 a large percentage of people who believed that the peace in Kashmir would never return have been proven wrong. The Government of India has engaged its agencies to enhance the process of development projects in Kashmir to put the peaceful image of Kashmir on the global platform by involving the youth into various sectors. The long term development plan of J&K aims at generating economic activities within the UT and incorporating the UT into the national and the global economy. The most efficient way of doing this is the immediate identification of the key development projects that yield quick results while at the same time laying the foundation for long term growth.

The Government of India was preparing for the G20 tourism working group meeting in Kashmir for a long time but kept skipping because of security concerns earlier. This dream has nevertheless now finally come true. It will definitely open the doors of development for the valley and employment for the youth of Kashmir.

The G20 meeting in Srinagar is a global signal that Kashmir is open for business and tourism. The recommendations of the G20 group are likely to give J&K international level exposure and assist hugely in the economic development of the UT. The group will play an important role in shaping and strengthening architecture and governance of J&K. It will promote inclusive economic growth and cooperation that would potentially have positive spillover effects on Kashmir. The G20 comprises the majority of the biggest economies of the world which represents approximately 90% of the world’s GDP, 75%-80% of world’s commerce, two thirds of the population of the world and nearly half of the planet’s landmass. By hosting the G20 meeting in Kashmir successfully, Kashmir has gained international recognition and attention and because of it many more events and meetings will be held here in future . It was after 33 years that foreign delegates visited Kashmir.

In Kashmir tourism has the potential to contribute 20% to J&K’s GDP. The G20 meeting has definitely opened opportunities to showcase our potential to attract investment and make it one of the top destinations in the world. Additionally, it will open new markets at the international level particularly for our handicrafts sector which has huge demand in the West and Middle East. G20 will also create vast opportunities for the youth of J&K to get engaged in various businesses and various sectors.

Now people of J&K will not be befooled by some of the opportunists who have been utilizing the Kashmiri youth for their personal benefits on the behest of Pakistan. The youth will find a ray of hope for their employment. People of the valley will feel the results of conducting the G20 meeting in Kashmir after some months. The G20 meeting in Kashmir is like a global advertisement for the betterment of Kashmir.

The G20 will provide an opportunity for Kashmir to show its rich cultural heritage to a global audience. This can help greater understanding and appreciation of local culture and can potentially lead to increased investment in Kashmir.

– The writer is a Social Activist