The government intends to take groups of foreign envoys and senior diplomats to Kashmir in the coming weeks, thereby meeting the world community’s key request to be allowed into the region to assess the situation there, people familiar with developments said on Tuesday.
The government plans to take on groups of senior diplomats representing various regions, including groups such as West Asia and the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This will be the first visit organized by the government for diplomats as the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked last August, people said.
The first batch of some 20 messengers and senior diplomats were expected to travel to Srinagar earlier this week, but the leaking of travel dates in the media has triggered a rethink in government circles as concerns have led to a bandh or protest.
The demonstration may have been organized to coincide with the trip, said the two refused to identify.
The government’s plan was to conduct silent visits without pomp and allow diplomats to interact with grassroots politicians, local businessmen, academics and journalists.
The ministries of external affairs, home affairs, and defense and military were involved in planning logistics and security visits and mobilizing people.
Officials in Srinagar refused to be named, saying the delegation would be organized by the Jammu and Kashmir government during their stay.
A senior official said, “Yes, a delegation is coming to Kashmir this month and will host the government.” Officials said the delegation would stay at one of the high-end hotels close to Dal Lake, which would also be the site of most meetings.
The European Union’s mission in New Delhi is in discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a planned visit for envoys from EU member states such as France and Germany, for which dates are yet to be decided, by two diplomats from European countries Refused to be identified… Diplomats from EU states were not part of the first batch.
It is believed that EU diplomats are eager for greater access to Kashmiri political leaders, civic organizations and the public and are being allowed to visit more places and these issues are part of ongoing discussions.
This is being done to ensure that his visit does not face the kind of criticism that was directed by a group of some 20 members of the European Parliament (MEP) to a controversial visit to Kashmir in October. Was.
The visit was organized by the Delhi-based think tank International Institute for Nonglind Studies and it later emerged that many MEPs were from far-flung parties.
The European Union had distanced itself from MEP’s visit and Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy also told Parliament that they were on a “private visit”.
Several key members of the European Union, including Germany, have called the communications blackout and security lockdown in Kashmir “not sustainable” and have made several requests to allow their diplomats in the region.
On 5 August last, the government abolished the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and decided to divide it into Ladakh, and the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir.
Top political leaders, including three former chief ministers, have been kept in custody.
Diplomats have been prepared to leave at a time when business activities have resumed after four months and the government has restored Internet facilities in hospitals and some offices.
The Kashmir Valley witnessed a shutdown during the visit of the MEP, which met people close to the administration and security forces.
