India / Foreign envoys arrive in Srinagar for 2-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu: A group of foreign envoys, including those from the European Union, reached Srinagar on Wednesday, 17 February, reported ANI, as they begin a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. They are scheduled for travelling to Jammu on Thursday.

According to ANI, envoys from 24 nations, including France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, EU, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and Italy, are part of the delegation visiting J&K.

Officials say the envoys will receive first-hand information on the development work undertaken by the administration of the Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in August 2019, PTI reported.

On their arrival, they were driven to Budgam district’s Magam block, where they interacted with some locals. There, they were briefed on Panchayati Raj and grievance redressal through ‘Back to Villages and Block’ programme, when administration goes to the doorstep of civilians, news agency ANI reported.

DDC Chairperson Nazir Ahmad Khan, who heads the Budgam district also met with the envoys. “It's been a month since we assumed our posts and we received the opportunity to interact with the foreign delegation. We interacted about our development schemes, work done and work which remains to be done,” he said, reported ANI.

This is the third envoy visit organised by the state since J&K lost its special status.

Like the previous two visits, envoys from Europe and Africa will meet government officials, members of civil society groups, and businesspersons to assess the UT’s ground situation.

The officials also said that strengthening of democratic institutions at the grassroots level would be significantly highlighted, as the envoys will take a look at a presentation on a how panchayats have been empowered by giving them financial powers, PTI reported. This visit comes following the completion of the District Development Council elections.

Another DDC chairperson from Srinagar, Aftab Malik of Apni Party said, “Our meeting with them has already been scheduled,” Hindustan Times reported.

The visiting group will also be meeting delegations at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of Dal lake and a hotel, and a meeting with a group of journalists has also been scheduled.