US Ambassador Sergio Gor called Jammu and Kashmir an “important part of India” during his visit to Srinagar. After meeting CM Omar Abdullah, he said Washington may review its travel advisory for the region due to improved security. Gor also discussed expanding US engagement and investment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday described Jammu and Kashmir as “an important part of India” during his first visit to the Union Territory since Operation Sindoor last year. He also indicated that Washington could consider downgrading its travel advisory for the region in view of the improving security situation.
Gor, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, made the remarks after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. The US diplomat also serves as President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.
“Kashmir is an important part of India. I am visiting the place for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place,” Gor said after the meeting.
“We had a very warm meeting and we look forward to building on our relationship,” Gor told mediapersons with Abdullah by his side.
Abdullah, Gor discuss US engagement with J&K
Following the meeting, Abdullah said the discussions covered India-US relations, with a particular focus on Jammu and Kashmir and the scope for greater US engagement with the Union Territory.
“We had a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the US can do with Jammu and Kashmir. There are obviously certain legacy issues that, over time, we will be working to resolve, but we look forward to taking this conversation further,” Abdullah said.
He said discussions would continue between Washington, New Delhi and Srinagar.
“We are very hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the United States of America and Jammu and Kashmir will both widen and deepen in the years ahead.”
US may reconsider J&K travel advisory
Gor also indicated that Washington could review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir as it regularly reassesses travel warnings. While stopping short of announcing any change, he praised steps taken to improve security in the region.
“New Delhi, the chief minister here, the government here – we believe – have made some incredible steps toward keeping this area safer and making it more secure. And so we will be looking at whether the travel warning that is recommended by the United States is something that should be downgraded,” he said.
