New Delhi. India has given a stern reply to China. India countered the objection by saying that the country is free to hold meetings on its own territory. It said peace and tranquillity on its border is essential for normal ties with China.
China has opposed the holding of G20 meeting in Srinagar and said that it won’t attend the event. China stated that the meeting is in Kashmir, a region disputed with its close strategic ally Pakistan.
According to the media reports, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday that “China firmly opposes holding G20 meetings in any form in ‘disputed’ areas and will not attend such meetings.”
India will host the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, from May 22 to May 24. Srinagar is under tight security ahead of the G20 meeting. Marine commandos and National Security Guards (NSG) have been deployed in the region as part of the ground-to-air security cover.
Officials say the G20 event in Srinagar is to showcase Kashmir’s tourism potential and also send a message to the world that it is an integral part of the country.