Jammu and Kashmir govt to invite ambassadors to discuss travel advisory issue

Jammu and Kashmir government will invite ambassadors of various countries including from Europe this summer to convince them to lift or ease their travel advisories on Kashmir.

"Envoys of 25 foreign countries including from Europe and the Commonwealth will be invited for a self assessment of the security situation and ground realities in Kashmir Valley this summer," state tourism minister Nawang Rigzin Jora told
the state assembly today.

"We want the foreign dignitaries and diplomats to assess and see for themselves the security situation in Kashmir Valley," Jora said while replying to discussion on demand for grants of his Ministry.

Kashmir had recorded an arrival of over 25,000 foreign tourists last year. 

Jora said, "Once they (envoys) assess the situation or threat perception for themselves they would be able to take a decision and recommend easing or lifting of advisories to their countries".

As part of efforts to encourage the countries to scrap adverse travel advisories on Kashmir, a group of high commissioners and ambassadors were invited to Kashmir in October last year.

"Although the envoys of major Commonwealth countries did not come, but some came and we let them move around on their own to see the situation for themselves," Jora said, adding "they went to various tourist destinations and Srinagar city without any security.

"The common perception was that tourists face no threat in Kashmir as things are normal now," he said.