Pakistan Summons US Envoy Over Sergio Gor’s J&K Remarks

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US charge d’affaires in Islamabad and lodged a “strong demarche” over remarks made by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad strongly objected to Gor’s public statement that the Union Territory “is an important part of India,” calling the remarks irresponsible and contrary to Pakistan’s position on the disputed region.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US envoy was summoned to convey Islamabad’s objections to Gor’s comments. The ministry said Pakistan “strongly condemned” the remarks and maintained that the status of Jammu and Kashmir remains subject to a final settlement under relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

According to Pakistan’s foreign ministry, Gor’s comments were inconsistent with what Islamabad described as Washington’s stated commitment to international law and the UN Charter. The diplomatic protest comes after Gor’s high-profile visit to Srinagar, where he met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed closer engagement between the region and the United States.

During his visit, Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as “an important part of India” while speaking to reporters. He said it was his first visit to the region and praised its natural beauty, adding that he was “thrilled” to be there.

Gor also described his meeting with Omar Abdullah as “good” and said there were several follow-up issues that he would take back to Washington. He characterised the discussions as warm and cordial and expressed interest in strengthening relations between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States.

The US ambassador also addressed Washington’s travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir. The United States currently maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the region. Gor said Washington periodically reviews its travel warnings and indicated that the advisory could be reconsidered in light of developments in the Union Territory.

While he stopped short of announcing any immediate change, Gor said the United States would examine whether the existing warning could be downgraded. He argued that Jammu and Kashmir has significant tourism potential and said many Americans could benefit from visiting the region and experiencing its “beauty and opportunity.”

The issue of travel advisories featured prominently in discussions surrounding Gor’s visit, particularly as Jammu and Kashmir seeks to expand international tourism and economic engagement.

Omar Abdullah, meanwhile, said his meeting with the US ambassador focused on opportunities to widen and deepen engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States. He highlighted sectors including tourism, horticulture and the new economy as areas where cooperation could be expanded.

Gor’s remarks and Pakistan’s subsequent diplomatic protest have added a fresh point of tension to India-Pakistan relations, with Jammu and Kashmir remaining one of the most sensitive issues between the two neighbouring countries.