Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a protest after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” during his visit to Srinagar on Wednesday.The remarks came as Gor made his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking office and met chief minister Omar Abdullah.Gor’s comments were made during a joint media briefing with Abdullah following their meeting at the chief minister’s residence. “It’s a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India. I am here, visiting for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place. I am thrilled to be here,” the US envoy said.Gor also indicated that Washington could reconsider its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying the US regularly reviews its warnings. He said the Indian government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration had taken steps to improve safety in the region.“I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at,” Gor said, adding that the US would consider whether its existing travel warning should be downgraded.The ambassador also described his meeting with Abdullah as “very good” and said the two sides had discussed ways to deepen economic cooperation and create opportunities benefiting India and the US.Abdullah said the talks focused on what Washington could do for Jammu and Kashmir, while also referring to “certain legacy issues” that would need to be addressed.“We look forward to taking this conversation further,” Abdullah said, adding that he was “very hopeful and optimistic” that engagement between the US and Jammu and Kashmir would “both widen and deepen in the years ahead”.
