Dubai's DP World to build dry port in IIOJK, regional leader says

Indian govt last year said Dubai would invest in infrastructure and other projects in occupied region

DUBAI:

Dubai ports giant DP World is set to build an inland port in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the head of the region said on Thursday.

The Indian government last year said that Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), would invest in infrastructure and other projects in the occupied region.

IIOJK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is in Dubai this week to promote investment, said DP World would soon visit the 250 acre site earmarked for the inland port facility.

"We will finalise it shortly," he told Reuters, describing the project as a "firm commitment" by state-owned DP World.

A DP World spokesperson said that the company had a "productive meeting" with Sinha on Thursday and that it was preparing a proposal for the project.

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The announcement last October that Dubai would invest in the region was the first by any foreign government since IIOJK's autonomy was revoked in 2019 and the Muslim-majority state was divided into two territories directly ruled by New Delhi.

Emirati newspaper Khaleej Times reported this week that Dubai developer Emaar Properties (EMAR.DU) would build a mall in Srinagar, the main city in IIOJK.

Lulu Group, an UAE-headquartered company headed by an Indian billionaire, also plans to set up a food processing hub there.

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But investment in the heavily militarised IIOJK is fraught with risk. There are frequent attacks, while the Indian government has at times faced international criticism for widespread crackdowns there by security forces.

"As far militancy is concerned, we are dealing with it ... and I can assure it will be dealt (with) fully" said Sinha, who insisted the region was a safe place for foreign investment.