A Union minister is prompted by the scribes' probing questions during the G20 summit to consider their "mindset."

Monday's much-publicized meeting on tourism was skipped by G20 members Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and China, as well as guest nation Egypt. However, questions from journalists about these countries' absence as well as concerns about security and the political process in Kashmir led a Union minister to angrily question their "mindset."

At the evening news conference, local journalist Naveed Iqbal from The Indian Express questioned why a political process couldn't take place in Kashmir if such worldwide events were conceivable. Since 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been without an Assembly.

The Prime Minister's Office-affiliated Union minister Jitendra Singh claimed, "I have been a part of the media for quite some time; I think this query is inspired by the mindset which was haunting the prior friend."

The "previous buddy" was Nazir Masoodi of NDTV, who questioned whether a sizable turnout was a support for "India's attitude on Kashmir" or whether the government desired involvement from those who disagreed.

Since Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India, Singh claimed that "India's attitude on Kashmir" is a myth and posed the rhetorical question, "What is India's stand on Punjab?"

When a French journalist questioned the "extremely high security" and the closing of the schools for the meeting, the minister got into an argument with him and eventually told him not to worry the delegates by raising the security issue.

Monday's much-publicized meeting on tourism was skipped by G20 members Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and China, as well as guest nation Egypt. However, questions from journalists about these countries' absence as well as concerns about security and the political process in Kashmir led a Union minister to angrily question their "mindset."

At the evening news conference, local journalist Naveed Iqbal from The Indian Express questioned why a political process couldn't take place in Kashmir if such worldwide events were conceivable. Since 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has been without an Assembly.

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Jitendra Singh, a Union minister who is affiliated with the media, said, "I have been a part of the media for quite some time; I suppose this question is inspired by the mindset which was tormenting the prior friend."

In addition to Singh, the government was represented at the news conference by the Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy and a number of bureaucrats, including Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa, and Harsh Vardhan Shringla, the G20 chief coordinator.

Geeta Mohan, an employee of India Today, questioned whether certain nations' lack of involvement was evidence that their loyalty to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation trumped their strategic alliance with India.

She was urged by Shringla not to "miss the wood for the trees," as he claimed that many people had attended the gathering. He stated that not all nations attend all conferences.

"Just because a nation chooses not to participate does not make it an enemy of ours. Don't go that far," Kant later said.

Kant asserted that all nations, with the exception of China, were taking part and that those that weren't sending delegates from the private travel and tour sector.

Local journalists who work for national media organisations were asked questions and treated with unusual hostility.

Masoodi questioned Singh about India's intentions in using the meeting to secure support for its stance on Kashmir. Singh responded, "What is crucial is to comprehend the fallacy ofthis (India's stand)." What is it? How does India feel? As much as any other Indian state or union territory, Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India.

"I'm not sure what that signifies - India's position on Kashmir? What is India's position on Goa, the Delhi UT, or Punjab? This is precisely what we need to observe while keeping our ears and eyes open, in order to unmuddle our hazy understanding of what has occurred.

Singh asserted that "building these myths" was a disservice done to the millions of young minds in Kashmir who did not want to waste their time on the "fake narrative."

The minister seemed to be implying that the presence of local government made the restoration of the Assembly less than necessary in response to Iqbal's query on the necessity of resuming the political process.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There is already political activity. DDCs (district development councils), BDCs (block development councils), panch and sarpanch councils are already in place. Are you not aware that's a part of the political process? he asked.

"You ought to thank us, Narendra Modiji, for bringing back district councils after 70 years."

When the journalist from French Radio said that the tight security and school closings were having an impact on people's life, Singh responded that the questioner must have attended a few meetings back home in France with comparable limitations as a "well-informed journalist."

The journalist then inquired as to Singh's opinion as to whether or not French schools were closed for such occasions.

I omitted the word schools. Yet, whenever a gathering of this size occurs, security is always increased, even in France, in Paris, Singh said.

"I have observed and witnessed the cordoning off of alleys and the hotels where they stay. What you are describing is happening somewhat here, but it does not make it any different.

According to Singh, more security was also done to show guests a good time. Don't project it like that, please. Your comments would make the delegates from other nations uneasy, he said.

When asked if the meeting will benefit the government in getting Western nations to remove its unfavourable travel warnings for Kashmir, Kant responded, "Hardly any country has issued a travel advise."

If the travel advice were really strict, their representatives wouldn't have come, he continued. Participating nations are the whole G7. What kind of travel advice are we discussing? Let's avoid falling for some sort of travel advisory nonsense. Travel is booming, and tourists are arriving.

Travel warnings issued by some western nations continue to be of concern, according to officials in Srinagar.