Srinagar: More than 20 foreign envoys began their two-day Jammu and Kashmir visit on Wednesday with a shikara ride in the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar. Some of the members in the delegation belonged to Germany, France, Canada, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary.

Speaking to reporters after a shikara ride in Dal lake, Afghan envoy Tahir Qadiri said, "We saw that schools and shops were open on our way from the Airport to city."

"It was the part of the world that I always wanted to see," Qadiri said. Another envoy from Mexico said Kashmir is a beautiful place. "We are here as tourists," he said.

A third envoy said they have come to Jammu and Kashmir to see how is the situation here.

Amid tight security, the delegation checked into a five-star hotel in Srinagar on the banks of the Dal lake.

This the third group of foreign diplomats visiting Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370. On January 9, a delegation of 17 foreign envoys including US ambassador Kenneth Juster visited the union territory.

On Thursday, the envoys will be heading to Jammu where they will be meeting with Lt. Governor G.C. Murmu and other civil society groups.

The visit also comes days after the stringent Public Safety Act (PSA) was slapped on former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers - Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti.