MEA arranging visit of envoys to Kashmir

Arun Joshi

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Jammu, January 7

The Ministry of External Affairs is organising a visit of Delhi-based envoys of European and some other countries to the Kashmir Valley to see the things for themselves in a bid to show that the government’s claim of “full normalcy” is reflected on the ground.

Some of the envoys who had expressed their interest in visiting the Valley after the Centre abrogated special status to Jammu and Kashmir, have been approached. Sources aware of the work being done by the MEA told The Tribune that the envoys were keen to visit on their own, seeking unhindered access to the Valley and the people.

“This is what the MEA is trying to work out,” the sources said. The MEA is keen to avoid a repeat of European Parliament members’ visit in October last. During that visit, Kashmir had observed a spontaneous and complete shutdown, defying claims of the people embracing normalcy on their own.That visit had caused a lot of controversy and diplomatic embarrassment.

According to the sources, the proposed visit of ambassadors based in Delhi is being planned against the backdrop of mounting criticism of the government in foreign countries and the international media on its dealing with the Kashmir situation.

For the past over five months, the Internet is shut and several political leaders, including three former Chief Ministers, are in prison. But the government feels the release of some of the political leaders has changed the atmosphere since August when the Valley was under a lockdown.

The proposed visit could come sometime next week, if the envoys and MEA converge on the nature of the visit and its openness.