China’s recent announcement that it will not attend the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jammu & Kashmir has escalated tensions between China and India. Asserting its opposition to holding such meetings in the “disputed territory,” China’s decision reflects its close alliance with Pakistan and adds to the existing strain in the bilateral relationship.
The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, scheduled to take place in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, from May 22 to May 24, was seen as a significant opportunity for the region to showcase its true potential. Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed optimism, emphasizing that the international event would send a positive message both within the country and globally. However, China’s firm opposition and subsequent withdrawal from the meeting have dealt a blow to these aspirations.
China’s objections are rooted in its longstanding alliance with Pakistan, a country that has previously made unwarranted references to the Indian Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. In response, India has consistently rejected such statements, emphasizing that Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that no other country has the right to comment on their territorial integrity.
The strained India-China bilateral relationship has been further exacerbated by the lingering border standoff in eastern Ladakh, which has persisted for three years. The deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 intensified tensions and prompted India to assert that peace in the border area is crucial for normalizing bilateral relations.
China’s decision not to attend the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jammu & Kashmir reflects its rigid stance on territorial disputes and its support for Pakistan. This move not only undermines India’s efforts to highlight the region’s potential but also deepens the existing tensions between the two Asian giants.
China’s firm opposition to the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Jammu & Kashmir underscores the complex dynamics at play in the India-China relationship. As the two countries navigate territorial disputes and strained diplomatic ties, the prospects for cooperation and peaceful resolution remain uncertain, further complicating the region’s geopolitical landscape.