Srinagar, May 23:Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India, and Pakistan has no right to talk about it and should rather pay attention towards its own people, Union Tourism Minister G K Reddy said here on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the third G20 Tourism Working Group Meeting at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here, Reddy said Pakistan was battling a crisis and should focus on its own plight. Pakistan should pay attention to itself and do something for the betterment of its people.
“Provide them employment, food etc. Why are you talking about us? You have no right. Pakistan is battling a crisis, people are dying of hunger, they do not get rice or gas, so it should focus there,” Reddy said.
He asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were happy. The Centre was doing everything for them and would continue to do so in the future as well, he added.
Addressing the third G20 tourism working group meeting here in Srinagar on Tuesday, the Union minister reiterated the commitment of the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India to collaborate with all G20 member countries and international organizations in promoting sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet. The minister emphasized the importance of fostering spiritual destinations and strategic locations to enhance the tourism industry.
Speaking during the session said that the Ministry of Tourism is keen to work with G20 nations to promote sustainable tourism in India and around the world.
Talking about the Centre’s initiatives on tourism, Reddy said India will hold a tourism summit to discuss the investments in popular tourist states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“We have to project India as the number-one destination globally. Private investment is necessary and without it, a huge country like India with such a huge population and lakhs of destinations cannot increase tourism,” he said.
Reddy further said, a significant progress has been made in the five key priority areas under 3rd Tourism Working Group Meeting namely Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, MSMEs, and Destination Management. These priorities are key building blocks for accelerating the transition of the tourism sector and achieving the targets for 2030 SDGs, he emphasised.
“Tourism Working Group is progressing in the right direction and the joint effort of G20 nations, international organisations and invited countries will result in the achievement of inclusive and action oriented decisive guidelines for the tourism industry,” Reddy said.
Expressing his confidence in the meaningful direction taken by the working group, the minister highlighted the significance of the global mission to develop tourism. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the working group, assuring that the joint efforts of G20 members, inviting countries, and international organizations would yield fruitful results.
Referring to international tourists Reddy said, “In India, wherever tourist go, Indians treat them like their own family,” Minister Reddy stated, emphasizing the warm hospitality and welcoming nature of the Indian people. “Looking ahead to the upcoming two-day summit,” he stated that discussions would focus on tourism activities on a global scale.
During the sidelines of the G20 summit, Minister G Kishan Reddy addressed the employment needs of the people in the Kashmir valley, emphasizing the positive impact that the resumption of tourism would bring. He acknowledged that the tourism industry in Kashmir had struggled for decades, but due to the concerted efforts of Prime Minister Modi, tourist influx had significantly increased. The minister expressed confidence that this growth would continue, doubling the tourism rush in the region in the near future.
In the previous tourism group meeting, the adoption of green tourism as the most important priority had been unanimously agreed upon. This demonstrated the shared commitment of G20 member countries towards sustainable and eco-friendly tourism practices, promoting the preservation of natural resources and the mitigation of environmental impact.
“The positive news story highlights the Indian government’s dedication to collaboration and sustainable tourism development. By actively engaging with international partners, the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India are working towards fostering spiritual destinations, exploring strategic locations, and addressing the employment needs of local communities,” Reddy maintained.
“The story portrays an optimistic outlook for the future of tourism in India, especially in the Kashmir valley, which is poised to experience significant growth and economic opportunities through increased tourist arrivals. The unanimous adoption of green tourism as a priority showcases India’s commitment to environmental responsibility and sets a positive precedent for sustainable practices within the global tourism industry,” Reddy maintained.
