Foreign Ambassadors in Srinagar | 13 Feb 2020
Why in News
Twenty-five foreign Ambassadors visited Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to assess the situation in the region nearly six months after the Central government revoked Article 370.
- They asked for suggestions from locals including few politicians, elected grass-roots representatives, editors and traders on the measures for moving ahead.
- Around 100 local delegates formed separate groups and met the envoys.
- These delegates also met the Members of the European Parliament in October 2019.
- The Ministry of External Affairs has said that there would be more such visits as the situation in J&K further normalises.
Significance
- It assumes significance because of the U.S. President’s upcoming visit to India and the European Union’s (EU) plan to discuss the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and reading down of Article 370 in the European Parliament in March 2020.
- The visit marks an important step by the government after it faced huge criticism in the EU and in the US over scrapping Article 370.
- The visit gives a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the state apart from giving a clear view of the development and governance priorities of the region.