U.S. envoy Sergio Gor terms J&K as ‘important part of India’, praises Delhi, CM for peace efforts

On his maiden go to to Jammu and Kashmir, Sergio Gor, U.S. Ambassador to India and Particular Envoy to South and Central Asia, on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) praised the Centre and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his or her efforts to “maintain India’s vital place protected” and hinted at evaluating the U.S.’s present adversarial journey advisory to the Union Territory (UT). In the meantime, Mr. Abdullah stated that “legacy points” had been mentioned throughout the assembly with Mr. Gor.

“J&Okay is a crucial a part of India and it’s an extremely stunning place. I’m thrilled to see this place. Delhi and the Chief Minister have made unimaginable steps to maintain this place protected. We can have some follow-ups to Washington and Delhi,” stated Mr. Gor, after assembly Mr. Abdullah on the latter’s residence in Srinagar’s Gupkar Street.

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Mr. Gor termed the assembly “heat and cordial”, saying it “will take it ahead”.

Mr. Gor’s assertion assumes significance as a result of it was his first go to to J&Okay after the Centre ended the area’s particular standing in 2019. Referring to J&Okay as “an vital a part of India” can also be a departure from the previous the place Kashmir was known as “an unresolved situation between India and Pakistan”.

Mr. Gor additionally hinted at re-evaluating journey advisory to J&Okay, which remained adversarial after 2019 and later after the ‘Operation Sindoor’. “We might be taking a look at journey warnings. It needs to be downgraded. It (J&Okay) is a phenomenal space and a variety of Individuals wish to come right here,” stated Mr. Gor.

The J&Okay Chief minister additionally described the assembly as “good alternative to debate relations between two nations and what the US can do with J&Okay”.

“There are some legacy points which over time we might be working to resolve. We sit up for take this conversion additional,” stated Mr. Abdullah.

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He stated the dialog was additionally “in regards to the prospects that exist to widen and deepen the engagement between J&Okay and the USA of America, significantly in areas like tourism, horticulture and the brand new economic system”.

In a put up on X, Mr. Gor appreciated the chance to satisfy with CM Abdullah and “to study extra about his priorities”.

“We mentioned methods to deepen financial collaboration and create alternatives that might mutually profit each of our nations,” stated Mr. Gor.

Throughout his Srinagar go to, the U.S. envoy additionally took a shikara experience on Dal Lake.

In the meantime, former J&Okay Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Get together (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti took exception to Mr. Gor’s “selective conferences” throughout his J&Okay tour, which began on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).

“Right this moment’s remarks by the Ambassador merely echo the script routinely peddled by Delhi, our Chief Minister, and the Lieutenant Governor making certain that any dissenting voice able to puncturing this phantasm of “normalcy” is systematically averted,” stated Ms. Mufti.

Ms. Mufti stated ever for the reason that unconstitutional abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, New Delhi has buried its head within the sand, ignoring something that contradicts its most well-liked narrative. “International dignitaries are introduced in for tightly choreographed visits and curated interactions that conceal the bottom actuality,” stated Ms. Mufti.