Envoys assess

Kashmir Magazine

In the third such visit by foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir in the last 18 months, diplomats from 24 countries were on a two-day trip to the Union Territory to assess the ground situation after District Development Council elections (DDC).

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha held an interaction with the Foreign Envoys who were on their two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to have a firsthand appraisal of government’s efforts to restore normalcy and boost development in the Union Territory.

As many as 24 Foreign Envoys including Excellencies - Juan Angulo, Ambassador , Chile; Andre Aranha Correa do Lego, Ambassador, Brazil; Oscar Israel Martinez Cordoves, Ambassador, Cuba; . Katrin Kivi, Ambassador, Estonia; Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador, Finland; Lukmon Bobokalozoda, Ambassador, Tajikistan; Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador, France; Brendan Ward, Ambassador, Ireland; Marten Van Den Berg, Ambassador, Netherlands, Carlos Pereira Marques, Ambassador, Portugal; Ugo Astuto, Ambassador, European Union; Muhammad Imran, High Commissioner, Bangladesh; George C. Mkondiwa, Ambassador, Malawi; Alem Tsehaye Woldermariam, Ambassador, Eritrea; N’DRY Eric Camille, Ambassador, Cote d’Ivore; Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador, Senegal; Klas Molin, Ambassador, Sweden; Vincenzo de Luca, Ambassador, Italy; Dato Hidayat bin Abdul Hamid, High Commissioner, Malaysia; Francois Delhaye, Ambassador, Belgium; Asein Isaev, Ambassador, Kyrgyzstan; besides Sebastian Beliwine, Cd’A, Ghanna; Juan Jose Cortez Rojas, Cd’A, Bolivia; Montserrat Moman Pampillo, Cd’A Spain visited the Raj Bhavan for the interaction.

While interacting with the Foreign Envoys, the Lt Governor spoke on the developmental changes J&K is witnessing.

He observed that an ecosystem of democratic values, welfare principles and economic development has been developed in J&K and scores of measures are being taken by the Government for development and prosperity of the UT.

“Years of suffering for J&K people ended on 5th August 2019. The efforts of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ushered the Union Territory into a new era, which has brought about socio-economic development in the region and empowerment of the people”, the Lt Governor remarked.
On reformative interventions being made by the Central government for boosting economic growth in J&K, the Lt Governor said that the central government headed by Prime Minister has drawn up excellent ideas and initiatives of industrialization even in far flung areas of the Union Territory so that more jobs could be created for our youth.

While speaking on the focus areas of the UT Government, the Lt Governor said that the Government is investing more than ever before in infrastructure, industries, education, healthcare, skill development, sustainable livelihood so that every citizen of Jammu & Kashmir has a safe future and earns recognition. Our collective aim is to continue implementing people-centric, development, and industry oriented policies, he added.
“Targeted solutions have been devised to address the issues like poverty, health, Skill development of youth, job opportunities and concrete steps are being taken to ensure that benefits of government schemes reach the last mile”, said the Lt Governor.

Women are also being provided with more opportunities to participate in economic development of the Union Territory and concrete support is being extended to those seeking a fresh start, he added.

Terming terrorism as the biggest enemy of human-kind, the Lt Governor said that despite relentless attempts by our neighbour to destabilize the security situation and trigger social disharmony by exporting terror, the Government is resolute towards the holistic and equitable development of J&K.

Recently, DDC's peaceful, violence-free and fair elections were held and the three-tier Panchayat system was established to strengthen the grass root democracy. Now, the true democracy is flourishing in the UT, which is not merely about governance but the feeling of fraternity, brotherhood, communal harmony and attitude of respect and reverence towards each other.

Replying to the queries by H.E Emmanuel Lenain, Ambassador, France and H.E Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Ambassador, Senegal pertaining to the Economic development and investment friendly reforms taken place in the UT, the Lt Governor observed that a new Industrial Development Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore has been unveiled for attracting investment in the UT, besides creating opportunities for the youth.
Various incentives are being offered to the investors across the globe. Earlier, a mega relief and revival package of Rs 1350 crore was announced to help the J&K business sector to tide over their problems, he added.
On being asked about the developmental measures taken by the Government, the Lt Governor observed that the Central and the UT Government are determined to preserve and create prosperity in J&K.

“Peace, Progress, Prosperity and People First- that is my vision for development of Jammu and Kashmir”, observed the Lt Governor.
On power generation, the Lt Governor said that despite the immense potential of Hydro Power, only 3500 MW of power was generated in J&K in the last 73 years, causing small businesses and citizens to face power problems. We have approved several projects worth Rs 54,000 crore during the last 3-4 months and we aspire to generate 3500 Megawatt in only four years to make Jammu Kashmir power surplus, he added.
Speaking on the problems faced by the people of J&K in the last seven decades, the Lt Governor observed that the people were deprived of development, basic facilities, their fundamental rights, and various acts passed by the parliament for the benefit of the people.

The Lt Governor said that the Prime Minister has ensured that all the benefits of Central Acts now reach to the people.

To make J&K the fastest growing region in the country, the Prime Minister has also provided the Union Territory with Rs 58,627 crore to establish Two AIIMS, Two IITs, IIMs, and execute world class infrastructure, he added.

J&K Administration at all levels is making tireless effort to rebuild the incredible economic and societal glory of Jammu and Kashmir. A culture of corruption had seeped far into the governance. We have transformed it into a transparent and accountable system in order to create a fair and just society, the Lt Governor maintained.
The Lt Governor also sought support from the global community in shaping a new future for Jammu & Kashmir.
“My effort is to create bliss, and seeds for flowering of each and every citizen of UT. You can see blooming of development in UT for yourself and fragrance spreading on the winds, I am sure, will be carried to every corner of the earth”, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor also thanked the Envoys for making this trip to see reality on the ground.

With the vision of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', we seek to work together as a team for the prosperity and well being of Jammu Kashmir and global community as a whole, the Lt Governor concluded.

In a Vote of Thanks, Eritrea Ambassador, H.E Alem Tsehaye Woldermariam remarked that “Change is visible in Jammu Kashmir. He said that the Envoys’ visit to J&K is an eye opener and improved the understanding of important issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir.
The visit by the envoys comes days after 4G mobile Internet was restored in the UT following the revocation of special status of J&K under Article 370 on August 5, 2019.

Besides interacting with the locals, the envoys, who were from France, the European Union, Brazil, Italy, Finland, Cuba, Chile, Portugal and other countries, also had discussions with recently elected members of the District Development Councils. The delegation also had representatives from OIC member states Malaysia, Bangladesh, Senegal and Tajikistan.

What we are realizing is that democracy took place here. It is impressive. People here are happy with the political decisions the Central government took," Juan José Cortez Rojas, Charge d Affaires, Embassy of Bolivia in Delhi was quoted saying.

On the day, the envoys arrived in Srinagar amid heightened security as shops remained closed following a shutdown call given by separatists in most parts of the city.

They were taken to Magam in central district of Budgam and given a traditional welcome where Panchs and Sarpanches had gathered to celebrate 'Block Diwas'

Later, the envoys had a luncheon meeting with representatives of Municipal Committee, DDC and Block Development Council members who sought their help in boosting tourism and bringing investments into J&K.

"The visiting dignitaries were apprised of the landmark elections of DDC and urban local bodies. They wanted to know the ground realities. Elected representatives from all political opinions and parties par" The key issue discussed was decentralization of power and planning, empowerment of the grassroots representatives," Mattu also said. "I believe the most important thing happening now is the empowerment of local elected representatives at the grassroots level," he added.

The envoys which has representation from four Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) -- Malaysia, Bangladesh, Senegal and Tajikistan -- were taken to Magam in central Kashmir amid heightened security arrangements in the city and elsewhere in the Valley, officials said here said.," Srinagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Junaid Mattu was quoted.

The envoys also visited the famous Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar. Last year, envoys from 17 nations, including the United States, had visited Jammu and Kashmir. Immediately three months after the Centre withdrew special status of Jammu and Kashmir, a delegation of 23 EU MPs was taken on a two-day visit to assess the situation.

Meanwhile the delegation of Foreign Heads of Mission in India also interacted with top security brass in Badami Bagh which included Lieutenant General B S Raju, General Officer Commanding, Chinar Corps and other senior officers including Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar. The envoys were briefed by the police and army representatives on the ground situation at the line of control and in the hinterland.

The police briefing included an update on the efforts on ‘mainstreaming the youth’ and ‘policing under COVID 19 challenges’. This was followed by an Army briefing which included a brief historical update and the current situation in J&K, a spokesperson said.

 

The event concluded with a question answer session wherein the Heads of Missions asked questions to the 15 Corps Commander. In response to the queries the Corps Commander elucidated the multi-pronged and integrated approach of the Indian Army and Police in J&K, spokesperson added.

On being asked about the status of militancy, the Corps Commander shared that overall the security indicators have improved however the militants still retain the ability for strike.

“Last year most militant organizations experienced depletion in their strength and killing of their leaders which has resulted in a more secure environment,” army officers informed.

He further explained that despite the militant’s estimates reducing to nearly 200,” the edifice of anti-militancy operations still requires a grid deployment to ensure security to the citizens residing in the UT. International experiences including in Afghanistan prove the need for boots on ground in anti-militancy operations.”

 

The Corps Commander also drew attention to the ‘propaganda’ efforts of Pakistan and the separatists, he shared that Kashmiri citizens have seen through the lies of the cross-border ‘propaganda’ and are choosing to ignore it, spokesperson said.

Regarding the de-radicalisation efforts, the Corps Commander shared that the principal supporters in such efforts are the parents, society elders and friends who help in identification of youth vulnerable to radical ideology, spokesperson added.

A joint civil society and government effort is made to counsel and support such an identified youth. The visiting envoys expressed satisfaction at the soft policing being attempted in J&K.

On being queried about the role of NGOs in supporting the government efforts the Corps Commander shared that many local and national NGOs are helping in government effort in J&K, these are in diverse fields including drug abuse, women empowerment and skilling of the youth. The national NGOs bring in skills, technology and help in building cross regional linkages, which would prove invaluable in the long term.