Political Counsellor at the French embassy RomainOtal along with Sophie Gauthier Counsellor for Strategic affair on Monday called on National Conference leader and Political Advisor TanvirSadiq this afternoon at Srinagar and discussed interests of mutual interest with him.
In an hour long meeting, Tanvir while advocating for peacebetween India and Pakistan said, “NC has all along been a votary of a peacefulrelationship between India and Pakistan” adding as the new government has takenover in Delhi, both India and Pakistan should initiate CBMs, initiate adialogue process and talk with each other instead of talking against eachother.”
Tanvir said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have seenenough of bloodshed and violence and they also deserve a chance to live inpeace adding, that it can only happen when India and Pakistan initiate acomprehensive dialogue process.
Talking about the loss the tourism sector has incurredTanvir said that the tourism sector in Kashmir is going through its worstcrisis, with many hotels closing down, majority of staff being laid off.
Tanvir said that Tourism, considered as the most visibleasset of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, has suffered a lot. “Even while hotelswhich offer heavy discounts the occupancy still remain as low. Even thehouseboats on Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and river Jehlum, the occupancy is verylow” he, adding “this should be the priority of the central government toensure revival of tourism and counter the negative campaign unleashed by somenational media channels against Kashmir.”
Tanvir said France can play an important role by loweringthe travel advisory for Kashmir and to start with lifting it for Srinagar-Pahalgam and Gulmarg. He asked the visiting diplomats to consider lifting oftravel advisory for the three tourist destination which will send a verypositive signal.
“I request you to lift the travel advisory as this will helpour ailing tourism sector and create a very positive perception across theglobe” said Tanvir adding “all the stakeholders of tourist sectors are in deeploss and we all collectively have to ensure that this sector is revived.”