Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday reacted to Pakistan summoning the US chargé d'affaires in Islamabad over remarks made by US Ambassador Sergio Gor during his visit to the Union Territory. Gor had described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” during his maiden official visit to the region. Responding to questions about Pakistan’s reaction, Abdullah said the matter was between Pakistan and the United States.

Gor visited Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and met Abdullah in Srinagar. During the visit, the US envoy said Washington would consider reviewing its travel advisory for the Union Territory, citing improvements in security. He said the administration in New Delhi and the Jammu and Kashmir government had taken significant steps to make the region safer, prompting the United States to examine whether its existing travel warning should be downgraded.

The ambassador also praised Jammu and Kashmir as a beautiful destination and said Americans would enjoy visiting and exploring the region. During his visit, Gor toured Srinagar and took a shikara ride on Dal Lake. He also visited Pari Mahal and described his experience in a social media post, highlighting the region’s tourism potential.

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Pakistan responded strongly to Gor’s remarks and summoned the senior US diplomat in Islamabad. Its foreign ministry described the ambassador’s comments as irresponsible and argued that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains subject to international and United Nations considerations. Islamabad maintained that the region’s final status should be determined in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and what it described as the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of the country. New Delhi has rejected Pakistan’s claims over the region and has repeatedly criticised Islamabad’s position, particularly regarding areas under Pakistan’s control. The latest exchange has therefore added another diplomatic dimension to the long-running disagreement between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir.

For the moment, the dispute has primarily involved diplomatic statements from Pakistan and the United States, while Abdullah has sought to distance the Jammu and Kashmir administration from the confrontation. Gor’s comments and the possibility of a review of the US travel advisory could also have implications for tourism and international perceptions of security in the Union Territory. The issue is likely to remain closely watched as India, Pakistan and the United States respond to the diplomatic developments.

Also Read: US Envoy Sergio Gor Begins Two-Day J&K Ladakh Tour, To Meet Omar Abdullah