Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the United States' Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a formal protest after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” during his first visit to Srinagar. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker was summoned and a “strong demarche” lodged over Gor's comments, which Islamabad described as factually incorrect.
Gor made the remarks during a joint media interaction with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar earlier in the day. Apart from commenting on the Union Territory's place within India, the US envoy described the region as “incredibly beautiful” and indicated that Washington could reconsider its existing travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan rejects Gor’s remarks
Pakistan's Foreign Office said it “strongly condemned and categorically rejected” Gor's characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India. Islamabad argued that the remarks were inconsistent with its understanding of Washington's position on the Kashmir issue and referred to United Nations Security Council resolutions while registering its objection.
The diplomatic protest came within hours of Gor's comments in Srinagar, underscoring Pakistan's sensitivity to statements by foreign governments and diplomats concerning Jammu and Kashmir. India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and has consistently rejected third-party intervention in matters concerning the Union Territory.
Gor makes maiden visit to J&K
Gor arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday on his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge as the US Ambassador to India earlier this year. During his visit, the envoy met Abdullah and was also expected to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. His itinerary includes a visit to Ladakh. Gor also serves as the US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, giving his visit additional diplomatic significance.
Foreign diplomats have visited Jammu and Kashmir on several occasions in recent years. Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the Centre facilitated visits by groups of foreign envoys, while US diplomatic representatives also travelled to the region ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections.
US may review travel advisory
Apart from his comments on Jammu and Kashmir, Gor said the United States would consider reassessing its travel advisory for the region. Washington currently places Jammu and Kashmir under its highest travel-warning category because of concerns related to terrorism and civil unrest.
Gor said travel warnings are periodically reassessed and noted steps taken by the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to improve security. He stopped short of announcing any immediate change but indicated that the issue would be examined by the US administration. A relaxation of the advisory could be significant for Jammu and Kashmir's tourism sector, particularly in attracting more international visitors.
Omar rules out seeking US intervention
Ahead of his meeting with Gor, Abdullah made it clear that he would not use his interaction with the US envoy to seek foreign intervention on domestic political issues. The Chief Minister said the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir's internal issues lay with the central government in New Delhi rather than Washington.
Abdullah said he would discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir with the ambassador but would neither complain about India to a foreign diplomat nor seek solutions to domestic grievances from the United States. His comments came amid attention surrounding Gor's maiden visit and speculation about the subjects likely to feature in his meetings with the Union Territory's leadership.
Remarks trigger diplomatic friction
Gor's description of Jammu and Kashmir has now added a fresh point of friction between Islamabad and Washington over the long-running dispute. Pakistan maintains that the status of Jammu and Kashmir remains disputed and has repeatedly sought international involvement in the issue. India rejects that position and maintains that matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including outstanding issues with Pakistan, must be addressed bilaterally.
Gor's comments are particularly notable because they came during an official visit to Srinagar and were accompanied by his acknowledgement of improvements in the region's security situation.
While the US has not announced any change to its broader policy following Pakistan's protest, Islamabad's decision to summon Washington's top serving diplomat in the country has turned the ambassador's visit into a diplomatic flashpoint. Attention will now be on whether Washington responds to Pakistan's demarche and whether Gor's indication of a possible review results in any change to the US travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.