The Group of Twenty, or G20, is an international forum consisting of the world’s leading economies. Its members include 19 countries and the European Union, which represent around 90% of global gross domestic product (GDP), 80% of world trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. The G20 was established in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, and its inaugural meeting was held in Berlin in 1999.
The G20’s membership includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia. In addition to its member countries, the G20 also engages with non-member countries and organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
Pakistan criticizes India’s move to host G20 meeting in Srinagar
India took over the presidency of the G20, an economic cooperation bloc comprised of 19 countries and the European Union, in December.
Pakistan and India have fought three wars, two of them over Kashmir, which both countries control parts of, which both claim in its entirety, and which is where Srinagar is located India’s decision to host a meeting of Group of 20 (G20) countries in Srinagar, part of Indian-administered Kashmir, is an “irresponsible move”.
Indian government announced Srinagar as the venue for the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting scheduled to take place from May 22 to 24.
“India’s irresponsible move is the latest in a series of self-serving measures to perpetuate its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir in sheer disregard of the United Nations Security Council resolutions and in violation of the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Pakistan vehemently condemns it.
Kashmir is bleeding.
“Such events cannot hide the reality of Jammu and Kashmir being an internationally recognized dispute that has remained on the agenda of United Nations Security Council for over seven decades, For a country that has a grandiose vision about itself, and its place in the world, India has once more demonstrated that it is unable to act as a responsible member of the international community.”
India took over the presidency of the G20, an economic cooperation bloc comprised of 19 countries and the European Union, in December of last year. It is scheduled to host a leader’s summit in New Delhi this September.
The Himalayan territory of Kashmir has been a flashpoint between India and Pakistan since they gained independence from British rule in 1947. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought three wars, two of which were over Kashmir, which both countries control parts of and which both claim in its entirety.
The Kashmir issue further flared up four years ago when India’s Hindu nationalist government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revoked Article 370 of the Constitution of India, which granted Indian-administered Kashmir partial autonomy.
“It is unbecoming of India to host an event in Srinagar which is in a disputed territory. It is very inappropriate, but the way things are, this issue is not taken up as seriously due to Indian importance. Unfortunately, Western countries which claim to be champions of human rights choose to ignore India’s decision.
“They are ignoring the fact that India is playing host in Srinagar – and also did not invite China, which is a key member of G20, but it is also a major violator of human rights – as well as United Nations resolutions about this region.”
The G20’s primary objective is to promote global economic growth and stability by facilitating international economic cooperation and coordination. The forum brings together heads of state, finance ministers, and central bank governors from its member countries to discuss and coordinate policies on issues such as trade, finance, and development.