A team of diplomats from 24 countries reached Jammu and Kashmir on a 2-day tour on Wednesday morning. Diplomats met the Mayor of Srinagar, Chairmen of District Development Council (DDC) and the Block Development Council (BDC) on the first day.
Also read: Life in Kashmir after Abrogation of Article 370
The delegation is being led by Ugo Astuto, the Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India. French Ambassador Emmanuelle Linen and members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are also part of the team. The tour is organised on the call of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Meetings with activists, media and officers
Foreign diplomats are to meet the newly elected members of the DDC, social and political activists, media and civil administration officials and army personnel.
Civil Administration officials will tell about the work done after the removal of article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials of the army and security agencies will give them information about the security situation.
The delegation first met the Mayor of Srinagar, DDC Chairperson, BDC Chairperson and Municipal Council Chairperson of all parties. Delegates also have a program to visit Shikara in Dal Lake in Srinagar and go to Gulmarg. After this, on February 18, they will reach Jammu and meet LG Manoj Sinha.
Diplomats from these countries are in the delegation
The delegation includes members from Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Bolivia, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, European Union, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Bangladesh, Malawi, Eritrea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Malaysia,Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Also read: 4G Internet Services Are Back In J&K After 18 Months
Fourth delegation since 370 removal
This is the fourth visit of foreign delegation to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 on 5thAugust 2019. Earlier, in October 2019, January and February 2020, foreign delegation visited Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan raises Kashmir issue in front of foreign delegation
Pakistan on Tuesday informed the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Islamabad about the current situation in Kashmir. Pakistan appealed to the international community to try to resolve the Kashmir issue according to the proposals of the United Nations. On this, Delhi has asked Pakistan not to comment on internal matters of India.