Foreign Diplomats to Visit Jammu and Kashmir Post Successful DDC Polls

Over 20 foreign diplomats stationed in New Delhi are all set to visit Jammu and Kashmir on February 17, Wednesday, on a two-day visit, government sources in New Delhi have confirmed to News agency. The delegation mainly comprises foreign diplomats from African, Middle-eastern, and European countries.

This will be the fourth such visit of top foreign diplomats to Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A from the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019. A delegation of European MPAs had visited Kashmir in October 2019 on a two-day visit which was followed by a visit by 16 foreign envoys, including the US Ambassador to New Delhi, on January 9 last year. A 25 member-delegation of foreign envoys had also visited Kashmir on February 12, 2020. This delegation included diplomats from Germany, Canada, France, and Afghanistan. Top Indian diplomat from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Vikas Swarup, had led the delegation, which met several civil society delegations and was briefed by bureaucrats and security establishment in Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign diplomats who will be reaching Kashmir on February 17 evening will be welcomed in the snow-clad mountains of Gulmarg, which have witnessed record tourism in the recent weeks. The delegation is likely to also visit Baramulla in North Kashmir.

"The focus of the visit will be around grassroots democracy thriving in Jammu and Kashmir after the successful District Development Council (DDC) elections in a free and fair manner," government sources said.

The diplomats are likely to be given a detailed presentation on the political process beginning in Kashmir which paved the way for 4G Internet restoration across the Union Territory after 18 long months. The delegation will also meet and personally interact with victorious DDC representatives from across Jammu and Kashmir.

The foreign diplomats who will also be visiting Jammu are likely to call on the Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and be given a briefing on developmental initiatives and the present security situation, especially in the Kashmir valley, by top bureaucrats, cops, and army officials.