Authorities have removed traffic bollards, barricades and other structures placed outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, a day after Islamabad raised the issue with the United States over remarks made by a US envoy on Jammu and Kashmir.
The structures, including queue liners near the visa section of the Pakistani mission, were reportedly placed outside the compound’s designated perimeter in a lane. They were subsequently removed by authorities.
PTI visuals showed broken barricades and security personnel near damaged walls outside the Pakistan High Commission.
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However, there has been no official confirmation that the removal was connected to Pakistan’s diplomatic protest over the US envoy’s remarks on Kashmir. Authorities have also not publicly stated the reason behind the action.
Action comes amid Kashmir row
The development comes against the backdrop of a diplomatic exchange between Pakistan and the US following comments by US Consul General in New Delhi Paul Kapur.
Pakistan had reacted strongly to remarks by US envoy Sergio Gor, who visited Kashmir recently. Islamabad summoned US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker and conveyed what its foreign ministry described as a “strong demarche”.
Pakistan said Gor’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir were “factually incorrect” and “strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘part of India’”.
Islamabad also argued that the remarks did not align with the “United States' long-standing position on the Kashmir issue”.
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US maintains bilateral position
Washington has maintained that India and Pakistan should resolve their differences through bilateral dialogue. New Delhi has similarly opposed any third-party role in resolving the Kashmir issue.
Gor’s visit to Kashmir was his first to the region in six years. His comments came as some Kashmiri political leaders sought changes to the US travel advisory for the region.
Opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti had urged Gor to withdraw the highest-level travel advisory for Kashmir, arguing that it affects families dependent on tourism.
Abdullah meets US envoy
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also met Gor during his visit. Abdullah said the discussions covered India-US relations, with a specific focus on Jammu and Kashmir.
“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,” Abdullah said.
“There are obviously certain legacy issues that, over time, we will be working to resolve but we look forward to taking this conversation further,” he added.