Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Pakistan Protests US Envoy’s Kashmir ‘Part of India’ Remark
US Ambassador Sergio Gor visited Srinagar for the first time.
He met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Gor said Jammu and Kashmir was an important part of India.
Pakistan disagreed strongly with that description.
Pakistan says the region is disputed and its final status should be decided through United Nations resolutions and the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Pakistan therefore summoned a US diplomat to formally protest.
Gor also said the United States might review its travel warning for the region.
The disagreement reflects the different positions of India and Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor called Jammu and Kashmir an important part of India during his first visit to Srinagar.
Gor made the remarks after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday.
Pakistan summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad and lodged a strong demarche.
Pakistan rejected Gor’s characterization, calling Jammu and Kashmir an internationally recognized disputed territory.
Gor said the United States would review travel advisories after safety improvements in the region.
- Who
- US Ambassador Sergio Gor, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker.
- What
- Pakistan lodged a strong diplomatic protest after Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India.
- When
- Wednesday, during Gor’s two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- Where
- Gor spoke in Srinagar, while Pakistan summoned Baker in Islamabad.
- Why
- Pakistan said Gor’s statement was factually incorrect, contradicted its position on the disputed territory, and conflicted with what it described as the United States’ earlier position.
Pakistan’s position
Gor’s stated position
Status of Jammu and Kashmir
Pakistan’s position
Pakistan strongly rejected describing Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, calling it an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status should follow relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
Gor’s stated position
Sergio Gor publicly described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India during his visit to Srinagar.
US policy consistency
Pakistan’s position
Pakistan said Gor’s remarks negated what it called the United States’ long-standing position on the dispute and conflicted with international law and the UN Charter.
Gor’s stated position
No separate US policy clarification was reported, but Gor’s public comments characterized Jammu and Kashmir as part of India.
Travel restrictions
Pakistan’s position
Tourism stakeholders and political leaders have urged Washington to ease its travel warning, saying it discourages foreign visitors and harms families dependent on tourism.
Gor’s stated position
Gor said the United States could review or downgrade its advisory after steps were taken to make the region safer.
- US envoy
- Sergio Gor is the US Ambassador to India and the Trump administration’s Special Envoy for South and Central Asia.
- Visit
- The remarks came during Gor’s first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as ambassador.
- Gor’s statement
- Gor called Jammu and Kashmir an important part of India and an incredibly beautiful place.
- Pakistan’s response
- Pakistan summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a strong demarche.
- Pakistan’s position
- Pakistan described Jammu and Kashmir as an internationally recognized disputed territory awaiting final disposition under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
- Travel advisory
- Gor said the United States would consider reviewing its travel advisory after safety improvements by the central government and Omar Abdullah.
- Other activities
- Gor met Omar Abdullah and took a shikara ride on Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Sources
Pak summons US Charge d'Affaires over Gor's J-K remarks
Pakistan gets miffed by US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s ‘J&K important part of India’ remark, issues demarche
Pakistan summons US Chargé d’Affaires over Gor's remarks regarding J-K
Jammu & Kashmir part of India, Gor says; Pakistan issues strong protest over remarks
Pakistan summons US chargé d’affaires over Sergio Gor’s ‘J&K is part of India’ remarks
