US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday referred to as Jammu and Kashmir an “essential a part of India” throughout his first go to to the Union Territory, whereas additionally saying the US would rethink its journey advisories for the area.
Gor made the remarks throughout his go to to Srinagar, signalling a big shift within the tone of Washington’s engagement with Jammu and Kashmir. The US State Division at present locations Jammu and Kashmir, besides japanese Ladakh and Leh, underneath a Stage 4 “Don’t journey” advisory, citing terrorism and civil unrest.
Gor’s go to is his first to Jammu and Kashmir since taking cost as US ambassador to India and President Donald Trump’s Particular Envoy for South and Central Asia. It additionally comes after heightened tensions within the area following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror assault and Operation Sindoor.
Additionally Learn: After Trump, US envoy cites India’s 660 million voters to push voter ID
Gor alerts evaluate of US journey advisory
Throughout his go to, Gor stated the US would rethink its advisories on journey to Jammu and Kashmir, responding to issues over the affect of the warnings on tourism within the area.
The present US advisory asks Americans to not journey to Jammu and Kashmir, apart from japanese Ladakh and Leh. It particularly cites the potential of terrorist assaults and violent civil unrest, and flags Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam amongst vacationer locations the place violence might happen.
The advisory has remained a degree of concern for the tourism sector, with political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir calling for a reassessment as safety circumstances enhance.
Additionally Learn: ‘US-India partnership vital for global security’: Envoy Sergio Gor holds talks with Ajit Doval
Gor’s feedback got here after former chief minister and Individuals’s Democratic Celebration president Mehbooba Mufti made a particular attraction to the US envoy to evaluate and withdraw the highest-level journey advisory in opposition to visiting Kashmir.
“For Kashmir, the place 1000’s of households rely upon tourism, the journey advisory on Kashmir is greater than a warning, it’s a wall between Kashmir and the world,” Mufti stated in a publish on X.
‘J&Ok an essential a part of India’
Gor’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as an “essential a part of India” is important given the sensitivity surrounding the area’s standing and its long-running dispute between India and Pakistan.
His remarks got here throughout a go to that’s being carefully watched for indicators of Washington’s strategy in the direction of Kashmir. The ambassador can be scheduled to journey to Ladakh after his engagements in Kashmir.
The go to marks a significant diplomatic engagement by a senior US official within the area in recent times.
Omar Abdullah: ‘Issues shall be resolved by Centre’
Forward of Gor’s arrival, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he would discuss issues concerning the Union Territory with the US ambassador however wouldn’t use the assembly to lodge complaints about India.
“It’s after a really very long time {that a} US ambassador is visiting Jammu and Kashmir. For me personally, it has been a very long time since I met any American ambassador. Let him come; we’ll sit and speak,” Abdullah instructed reporters, in accordance with information company PTI.
Abdullah stated he would favor to hearken to Gor throughout their assembly, whereas noting that the ambassador was additionally “coming to pay attention”.
“Let’s see what sort of dialog takes place when he comes to fulfill this afternoon,” he stated.
“It has by no means been my behavior to lodge complaints about my nation to an envoy of one other nation. The decision to our points won’t come from Washington; the decision to our issues lies with our central authorities,” Abdullah added.
He stated it could subsequently be inappropriate for him to complain in regards to the nation’s affairs to a overseas ambassador.
“So, I consider it could be very inappropriate to complain about our nation to an envoy of one other nation. That isn’t my behavior,” he added.
Why Gor’s J&Ok go to issues
Gor’s go to comes amid efforts by India and the US to deepen their broader strategic relationship. In June, Gor met Union House Minister Amit Shah, with discussions protecting counter-terrorism, narcotics management, border safety and law-enforcement cooperation.
The ambassador’s J&Ok go to can be his first to the area since taking workplace earlier this 12 months. He’s travelling to Kashmir earlier than continuing to Ladakh.
