Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor addressed the Srinagar Nalanda Dialogue on Saturday, June 20, 2026, delivering a speech on the theme 'Tourism as a Bridge: Reimagining Peace and Governance in Kashmir', highlighting the region's potential as a destination for cultural and economic renewal.

Context

Tharoor, the Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram and former UN Under-Secretary-General, shared his participation in the dialogue on Sunday, noting he was 'delighted to speak' on the immense potential of tourism in a region 'blessed with extraordinary natural beauty' and 'a rich cultural inheritance.' The Nalanda Dialogue format brings together policymakers, academics, and civil society voices for structured conversations on governance and development.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has long been synonymous with Kashmir's identity as a tourism destination — from its famed Dal Lake and Mughal gardens to its centuries-old handicraft traditions. Tharoor's framing of tourism as a 'bridge' for peace positions the sector not merely as an economic tool but as an instrument of social cohesion.

Policy Backdrop

Following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory, successive central government policies have prioritised tourism infrastructure as a pillar of economic revival and the reinforcement of normalcy. Schemes such as Swadesh Darshan and state tourism master plans have channelled investment into connectivity, hospitality, and heritage site development across the region.

Opposition voices, including those of senior Congress figures, have increasingly engaged in Track-II style dialogues that link cultural diplomacy and economic themes to peace-building — offering perspectives distinct from official government narratives while remaining within a broadly developmental framework.

Stakeholders and Impact

The communities most directly affected by tourism policy in Kashmir include local houseboat owners, shikara operators, artisans, hoteliers, and guides — sectors that saw significant disruption during periods of unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. A sustained tourism uptick translates directly into livelihoods for tens of thousands of Kashmiri families.

For policymakers, the dialogue between governance, security, and tourism promotion remains a delicate balance. Tharoor's participation signals that cross-party engagement on Kashmir's development narrative is active, even as political differences over the region's constitutional status persist between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

What's Next

Observers will watch for follow-up regional dialogues building on the Srinagar Nalanda platform, as well as upcoming Union and Jammu and Kashmir budget allocations for tourism infrastructure. Any new project announcements — particularly around connectivity, heritage conservation, or homestay promotion — will signal how seriously the developmental framing of Kashmir tourism is being translated into policy action. Tharoor's continued engagement in such forums suggests the Opposition intends to remain a visible voice in shaping the discourse around Kashmir's economic future.