The diplomatic efforts of Pakistan against the upcoming G20 Tourism Working Group moot in Srinagar, Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), paid off as China, KSA, and Türkiye boycotted the conference, said Prof Dr Fakhrul Islam, director Research & Academic Outreach, Institute of Policy Studies, while representing the Institute during a seminar on ‘G20 Summit in Disputed Territorial Area: Exploitation of Economic Alliance,’ held at Riphah Institute of Public Policy (RIPP), Riphah International University (RIU), Islamabad, on May 30, 2023.
The seminar, moderated by Dr Waleed Rasool, was joined as Chief Guest by Fakhar Imam. former chairman Kashmir Parliamentary Committee while it was also addressed by Dr Rashid Aftab, director RIPP, Dr Asma Shakir Khwaja, executive director Center for International Strategic Studies, Dr Mujahid Gilani, Kashmiri Leader, Salim Altaf Vani, Chairman KIIR, Dr Muhammadi, associate director Center for International Strategic Studies, Dr Najimdeen Bakare, HOD, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, NUST, Prof Dr Amna Mehmood, dean faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Politics & International Relations, International Islamic University, Naseem Khalid, Secretary Parliament, and Dr Musab Yousufi.
Representing IPS at the seminar, Prof Dr Fakhrul Islam mentioned that India aims to achieve certain objectives by holding the tourism moot of G-20. These objectives included attracting investment in tourism and giving the impression that Kashmir is no more a flash point.
He further said that despite India’s efforts and success in attracting investment, it has miserably failed in projecting Kashmir as a normal and peaceful region. Due to Pakistan’s proactive diplomacy not only did the Kashmir conflict receive attention on a global scale but China, the KSA, and Turkey also boycotted the Srinagar G-20 summit.
