1 week ago
India Dismisses Pakistan Protest Over US Envoy’s Kashmir Remarks
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.
India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of the country.
Pakistan summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and protested Sergio Gor’s remarks as factually incorrect.
Pakistan said Gor’s comments contradicted Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir.
Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India during his visit to Srinagar.
The US envoy said Washington would review whether to downgrade its Level 4 travel advisory for the region.
- Who
- India, Pakistan, US Ambassador Sergio Gor, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
- What
- India dismissed Pakistan’s protest over Gor’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India.
- Where
- India’s response was made at an MEA press briefing in New Delhi; Gor made his remarks in Srinagar.
- When
- Pakistan lodged its protest on Wednesday, Abdullah commented on Thursday, and India responded on Friday.
- Why
- Pakistan said Gor’s remarks were factually incorrect and contradicted Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir, while India reaffirmed its territorial position.
India’s Position
Pakistan’s Objection
Status of Jammu and Kashmir
India’s Position
India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India and said it saw no reason to comment on Pakistan’s frustration.
Pakistan’s Objection
Pakistan said Gor’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India was factually incorrect and contradicted Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir.
US travel advisory
India’s Position
Gor said security measures by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Centre had made the region safer, supporting a review of the travel warning.
Pakistan’s Objection
The United States continues to maintain a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory, although Pakistan’s position on the advisory was not stated in the articles.
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










