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

US Envoy’s Kashmir Remarks Draw Pakistan’s Condemnation

SRINAGAR — US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s declaration during his first visit to Kashmir that the region is “an important part of India” has drawn a sharp rebuke from Pakistan, which summoned a senior US diplomat to protest the comments and reaffirm its contested view of the territory.

Gor, who also serves as President Donald Trump’s special envoy for South and Central Asia, made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. He described his meeting as “warm and cordial” and praised the region’s beauty, while hinting that Washington might reconsider its travel advisory for the region.

The diplomatic fallout was swift. Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed it had summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a “strong demarche” over Gor’s statements.

A Visit Heavy with Symbolism

Gor’s two-day visit covering Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh marked a significant moment in US-India relations, coming as the first standalone trip by a serving US ambassador to the region since 2019. The visit also took place seven years after India abrogated the region’s special status, a move that had been followed by heightened security presence.

During a press interaction in Srinagar, Gor said, “Kashmir is an important part of India. I am visiting the place for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place.” He also highlighted what he called “incredible steps” taken by the central government in Delhi and Chief Minister Abdullah to ensure safety, suggesting the US might review its “do not travel” advisory, which has been in place due to terrorism concerns.

“We will be looking at whether the travel warning ... is something that should be downgraded,” Gor said, adding that many Americans would enjoy visiting the region.

Pakistan’s Strong Reaction

Pakistan’s Foreign Office rejected Gor’s characterisation of Kashmir, stating in a release that “Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.” The statement also expressed concern that Gor’s comments ran “contrary to the U.S. commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter.”

While appreciating President Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, Pakistan urged the US side to ensure its public statements “remain consistent with the disputed status” of the territory.

Broader Diplomatic Context

The visit also came against the backdrop of a shifting regional landscape. Pakistan has been courting the Trump administration more closely than in recent years, even as the US deepens its strategic partnership with India. Gor’s remarks have added a fresh layer of complexity to these ties.

Al Jazeera noted that the visit was the first of its kind since 2019 and raised questions about whether it signals a shift in Washington’s long-standing position on Kashmir, which has historically been to encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan while not endorsing either side’s territorial claims.

Economic Hopes and Local Reactions

For many in Kashmir, the visit raised hopes of economic benefits. Gor’s meeting with Chief Minister Abdullah focused on opportunities for deeper economic collaboration, with discussions covering tourism, horticulture, and the new economy. Gor also posted on X about his intent to “deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both of our nations.”

Ahead of the visit, former chief minister and People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti had urged Gor to review the travel advisory, pointing out that thousands of families in Kashmir depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Mufti later criticized the visit, calling it “choreographed” and reiterating her party’s rejection of the 2019 abrogation as “unconstitutional.”

Looking Ahead

While Gor did not announce any formal changes to the travel advisory, he indicated that follow-ups would be made. “We will have some follow-ups to Washington and Delhi,” he said, leaving room for potential shifts in the US stance.

As both nations navigate the fallout, the episode underscores the delicate balance of a relationship that Washington values deeply, even as it seeks to maintain ties with both South Asian rivals.