Strained ties with Malaysia kill Jammu’s maiden international roadshow

Jammu’s maiden international roadshow for promoting tourism potential of the region, proposed to be held in Malaysia, has been officially cancelled in the Publicity Committee meeting of Jammu Tourism, on account of India’s tensed diplomatic ties with the South East Asian Country over its recent Kashmir remark at the United Nations.

The roadshow, which was originally fixed for 22nd June, 2019 with the approval of the then Secretary Tourism J&K and Director Tourism Jammu, was postponed to 25th July, 2019. However, the events that unfolded thereon prevented the roadshow from seeing the light of the day, until the final blow came when India’s friction with Malaysia aggravated over the latter’s Kashmir remark, and concerned authorities cancelled it on 15th October, 2019.

“The Travel Agents Association of Jammu (TAAJ) was to organize a roadshow in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 22nd June, 2019. It was postponed to 25th July, 2019, when OP Bhagat, the then Director Tourism, apprised us of his unavailability on account of Shri Amarnathji Yatra. While we were waiting for the names of the officials that would accompany our deputation, Secretary Tourism J&K and Director Tourism Jammu were transferred, and in these 2.5 months, the new authorities failed to provide us with a confirmation for the scheduled date, a new date or a straight NO,” rues Jatinder Koul, President, TAAJ.

He adds, “In the Publicity Committee Meeting held on 15th October, 2019, the roadshow was officially cancelled. The reason given was India-Malaysia marred ties.”

When this scribe tried to contact Deepika K Sharma, the new Director Tourism Jammu, it was learnt that an appointment has to be requested via e-mail.

Pertinently, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad had recently said at United Nations that India had “invaded and occupied Jammu and Kashmir”. Further, he asked India to work with Pakistan to resolve the issue. This had angered Indian government, and as such, it is reportedly mulling to restrict imports from Malaysia, including palm oil. In point of fact, India has been the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil, taking 3.9 million tonnes in the first nine months of 2019, as per the data of Malaysian Palm Oil Board.

In addition to Kashmir issue, India and Malaysia are at loggerheads over the extradition of Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been accused of promoting hate speech.

Against the same background, Nisar Ahmed Wani, Director Tourism Kashmir had on 9th October 2019 wished to organize a roadshow in Malaysia, wherein he said, “This year, we will have to double our promotions. Besides roadshows in metropolitan cities of India, we will also do shows in Bangladesh, Thailand and Malaysia.” His stand was questioned in The News Now report on 14th October 2019.

Raminder K Sanhotra, General Secretary, Federation of Registered Travel Trade Associations of Jammu and President, Jammu Katra Tourism Welfare Organisation, says, “We had met Advisor to the Governor Khurshid Ahmed Ganai on 27th September, when he assured us that our roadshow will be held, besides committing that Jammu will be promoted as an independent tourist destination. It was the same date, when Malaysian PM addressed the UN General Assembly and strained relations with India.”

“Nothing is above our nation. If not Malaysia, then we’ll propose other countries for promotional roadshows. But, why Kashmir Tourism’s roadshow has not been cancelled? We haven’t come across any document which states that Director Tourism Kashmir was wrong in including Malaysia for roadshow probables, or Malaysia is no more on their list for a roadshow,” he adds.

Further, the aggrieved tour travel operators can’t go to Ganai again, as his term ended on 31st October, when J&K transitioned into Union Territory.

They accused the concerned authorities of ignoring Jammu region’s tourism potential, and regretted Jammu Tourism Department’s apathy and incapability towards promoting the region as an independent and safe tourist destination at national and international level.

Also: Read my article at THE NEWS NOW