J&K imp part of India: US ambassador to India Sergio Gor during Kashmir visit; Washington likely to re-evaluate travel advisory

PTC News Desk: In a major shoutout to India's stated position on Jammu and Kashmir US ambassador Sergio Gor on Wednesday called the Union Territory "an important part of India" during his first visit to Srinagar.

Gor’s remarks came after he met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, marking the first visit by a US envoy to the Union Territory since the abrogation of Article 370 and following the Pahalgam attack.

In a post on X, Gor said the discussions focused on Abdullah’s priorities for Kashmir and ways to strengthen economic cooperation. Gor is also expected to meet the Lieutenant Governor and will travel to Ladakh on Thursday.

"We discussed ways to deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both of our nations," Gor tweeted. Previously, while speaking to the media, Abdullah did not attach much importance to the visit, underlining that "Washington won't solve Kashmir's problems".

The visit is significant as it comes seven years after the Centre revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and divided the former state into two Union Territories. There is also speculation that Gor, who is considered close to US President Donald Trump, may meet trade representatives and members of civil society in Srinagar, although there has been no official confirmation.

Why is the US envoy's Kashmir visit important?

The visit comes at a time when India and the US are strengthening their strategic partnership. It also follows recent discussions between Gor and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on counter-terrorism.

The visit is historic for several reasons. It will be the first meeting between a serving US ambassador and a sitting Jammu and Kashmir chief minister in more than 15 years. The last such meeting took place in 2011, when then US envoy Timothy Roemer met Omar Abdullah.

It is also the first standalone visit to Kashmir by a US envoy since Kenneth Juster’s visit in 2018, shortly after the collapse of the PDP-BJP government.

Most importantly, the visit marks a return to direct engagement between a US envoy and the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Omar Abdullah plays down the visit

However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not attach too much significance to the visit. He said he would not raise complaints or seek outside intervention on Kashmir.

Since his National Conference government came to power, Abdullah has continued to demand the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

"Washington won't solve our problems; the Centre will. I would rather listen to him instead of complaining," Abdullah told reporters.