1 week ago

India Dismisses Pakistan Protest Over US Envoy’s Kashmir Remarks

India Dismisses Pakistan Protest Over US Envoy’s Kashmir Remarks
Pakistan’s move to summon US diplomat a sign of its frustration over Gor’s J&K comment: MEA · indianexpress.com

India and Pakistan disagree about how Jammu and Kashmir should be described.

India says Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are permanent parts of India.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor also called Jammu and Kashmir an important part of India.

Pakistan objected to that statement and summoned a senior US diplomat.

Pakistan said the comment was factually incorrect and differed from the United States’ longstanding position.

India said Pakistan’s protest showed frustration and declined to comment further.

Gor made his remarks after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar.

He also said the United States might lower its highest travel warning for the region.

Key facts

India’s position
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India.
Pakistan’s action
Pakistan summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and lodged a diplomatic protest.
Pakistan’s criticism
Pakistan described Gor’s remarks as factually incorrect and contradictory to Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir.
US envoy’s statement
Sergio Gor called Jammu and Kashmir an important part of India.
Location of remarks
Gor made the comments after meeting Omar Abdullah in Srinagar.
Travel advisory
The United States currently maintains a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory for the region.
Possible review
Gor said Washington would examine whether the travel warning should be downgraded.

Quotes

Randhir Jaiswal

Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs

“I will repeat, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. They were, they are, and they will remain so…I see no reason to comment on Pakistan’s frustration.”
firstpost.com indianexpress.com
“I see no reason to comment on Pakistan's frustration. This is what I have to say.”
firstpost.com

Sergio Gor

US Ambassador who visited Jammu and Kashmir and met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah

“This is an important part of India and so I'm here visiting for the first time. It's an incredibly beautiful place, and so I'm thrilled to be here, thrilled to see this place. We had a very good meeting, and we have some follow-ups that we'll take back to Washington, back to Delhi. But, a very warm, very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship forward.”
firstpost.com

Sources

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