The News Craving
Srinagar:
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has invited a group of senior diplomats, primarily from American, European, and ASEAN embassies, to visit Kashmir for “a first-hand account of the ongoing election process in J&K,” a report in the The Hindu newspaper said.
According to official sources, the MEA extended invitations to around 20 diplomats from select embassies in New Delhi, including the U.S., France, Germany, Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia. So far, 16 diplomats have accepted the invitation. The diplomats are scheduled to visit Kashmir for two days starting September 25, coinciding with the second phase of polling in Srinagar.
MEA officials have reached out to embassies over the past week, requesting them to nominate diplomats for the visit ahead of the second phase of voting. In this phase, besides Srinagar, polling will take place in Ganderbal and Budgam districts. Another group of diplomats is expected to visit Kashmir before the third phase of voting on October 1, covering north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Bandipora, and Kupwara districts.
