'Irresponsible Move': Pakistan Questions India's Decision To Host G20 Meetings In J&K, Ladakh

Pakistan's foreign ministry has issued a statement condemning India's choice of venues in, what it calls "disputed territory".

Pakistan's foreign ministry, under minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, issued a statement condemning India's choice of venues in, what it calls "disputed territory".

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Pakistan has slammed India's decision to host Group of 20 meetings in Kashmir, calling it "irresponsible" as it controls the region.

India, currently holding the rotating year-long presidency of the G20, is scheduled to host a leaders' summit in New Delhi in September. As part of the lead-up to the summit, India released a full calendar of events that includes G20 and Youth 20 meetings in Srinagar, Kashmir's summer capital, and in Leh, in the Ladakh region, in April and May.

In line with its preparations, the Srinagar Municipality has urged citizens to tidy up their premises along the main roads.

In response, Pakistan's foreign ministry issued a statement condemning India's choice of venues in, what it calls "disputed territory", reported news agency Reuters. It said the move was a "self-serving measure to perpetuate its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir". The statement accused India of disregarding UN Security Council resolutions and violating international law.

Pakistan has accused India of exploiting its membership in the important international group to promote its self-serving agenda, disregarding UN Security Council resolutions and violating the principles of the UN Charter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has further accused India of "brutally suppressing the people of Jammu and Kashmir and failing to act responsibly as a member of the international community", reported Business Today.

Pakistan has also raised objections to the scheduling of two other meetings, the consultative forum on youth affairs (Y20) in Leh and Srinagar. Meanwhile, Srinagar has been planning a makeover for several months, including beautification of roads, painting of buildings, debris removal, and tree pruning.

India's foreign ministry has not yet responded to Pakistan's statement. New Delhi has remained firm on its stand that Kashmir is an integral part of India and that Pakistan is fuelling separatist sentiments and insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan has also accused India of violating human rights in various parts of Kashmir, which under its control.

The city plans to enhance the facade of roads through the development of footpaths, medians, and landscape improvement. Furthermore, ornamental plants will be planted, withering trees removed, and unnecessary road dividers and debris removed from several roads, including those leading to popular tourist spots.