Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a press briefing on Tuesday that India’s decision to hold G20 events and meetings in the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir is “only natural.”
He added that New Delhi was hosting G20 meetings across India. Bagchi justified India’s decision to hold the discussions in Jammu and Kashmir, maintaining that the region is an “integral and inalienable part of India.”
Overview
During its year-long rotating presidency, India will host around 200 meetings.
Last week, India released a complete list of events it will hold nationwide during this period, including September’s summit in New Delhi. In the release, India announced it would host G20 and Youth 20 meetings in Srinagar and Leh in April. India will also host a G20 tourism meeting in Srinagar in May.
"These G20 events, meetings are being held across India, in every region of India. Holding such meetings in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh is very natural as they because we have always considered them integral and inseparable parts of India," says MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on… pic.twitter.com/bBcoRLvcEr
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023
In response, Pakistan called the announcement a violation of international law, reiterating its historical claim that the region is a disputed territory. On Tuesday, the Foreign Office said the G20 events will strengthen India’s “illegal occupation.” To this end, Islamabad expressed its “strong indignation” at India’s announcement and called the decision “disconcerting.”
The Foreign Office said the meetings “cannot hide the reality of Jammu and Kashmir being an internationally recognised dispute that has remained on the agenda of United Nations Security Council for over seven decades.”
It also said that such actions show that India “is unable to act as a responsible member of the international community.”
China, Pakistan Oppose Meetings in Disputed Areas
Ever since India began its G20 presidency, several media reports have emerged on New Delhi’s intentions to hold the meeting in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government is using the sessions to display its success in restoring peace and security in the region, particularly after the UT’s special status was revoked in 2019.
India PM Modi-UK PM Sunak hold talks. Issues raised by India according to Indian Readout says:
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 13, 2023
-security of Indian diplomatic establishments
-action against anti-India elements, UK told
-Early conclusion of FTA
-economic offenders
-Invite for G20 summit
-Baisakhi greetings https://t.co/05Ufyh4c5U pic.twitter.com/sHg2sHiLsc
By holding the meetings in Jammu and Kashmir, New Delhi is also looking to refute Islamabad’s claims of India-led human rights violations in the region. However, Pakistan has vehemently opposed this decision from the offset. It has criticised India for “exploiting” the G20 Presidency to advocate its “self-serving agenda.”
In June, the Dawn reported that Islamabad also “cautioned” members of the grouping against supporting India’s calls to hold the meeting in the region.
Similarly, India held a G20 Research and Innovation Meet in Itanagar in March, which China did not attend as it claims Arunachal Pradesh to be its own territory. China also supported Pakistan’s criticisms of India, demanding that all parties should avoid such unilateral actions in the region.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey have objected to India holding a meeting in Srinagar as well.