Kashmir Conflict: G20 Meeting and India's Failed Strategy.

Byline: Usman Ali

I ndia's attempt to showcase a sense of normalcy by hosting the G20 working group meeting on tourism in the disputed territory of Kashmir ended up having unintended consequences, as it inadvertently brought international attention to the Kashmir conflict, an outcome India had hoped to avoid. Several prominent members of the G20, including China and Saudi Arabia, decided not to participate in the two-day meeting. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, stated that China firmly opposes holding any G20 meetings in disputed territories and will not attend such gatherings. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt subsequently followed suit by opting out of registering for the G20 meeting, aligning with China's opposition. The ulterior motives of India behind the G20 meeting were brought to light by the United Nations.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Special Rapporteurs issued a warning to the G20 countries about holding the meeting in disputed territory. Fernand de Varennes, the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, criticized the G20 meeting in Kashmir, stating that it endorsed the "military occupation" and granted it an "international seal of approval." The UNHRC statement advised G20 member countries to uphold their international human rights obligations and abide by the UN Declaration on Human Rights. Additionally, it urged the G20 member states to denounce the situation in occupied Kashmir. The pro-India Kashmiri politician and President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, tweeted that the "existing repression in Kashmir" was not enough that Indian security forces violated the privacy of Kashmiri people by breaking into their homes before the meeting of G20 member states.

Her statement reflected the "repression" of Kashmiris since the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A. Moreover, last month, She decried the Indian government boasting normalcy as thousands were incarcerated. She urged the government to grant political prisoners the opportunity to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr alongside their their families. The concern expressed by both the UN and G20 member countries regarding the disputed territory of Kashmir highlights the international nature of the issue, contradicting India's assertion that it is solely an "internal matter." This further exposes India's unsuccessful attempts to forcibly establish itself as the rightful authority over the Kashmiri people on the global stage. One such...