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‘Frustration': India snubs Pakistan after summons to US envoy over Sergio Gor's J&K remark

Islamabad summoned US envoy and lodged protest against US ambassador Sergio Gor's remarks on J&K being an "important part of India".

Updated on: Aug 21, 2026, 19:40:59 IST
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In a snub to Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said it sees no reason to comment on its "frustration" after Islamabad summoned a top US diplomat over US ambassador Sergio Gor's recent remarks on Jammu and Kashmir being an "important part of India".

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addresses a press conference, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Video Grab)
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addresses a press conference, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI Video Grab)

“I will repeat, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. They were, they are, and they will remain so,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the bi-weekly press briefing in the national capital.

"I see no reason to comment on Pakistan's frustration. This is what I have to say," he said in response to a question on Pakistan sparking a diplomatic protest over Gor's remarks.

What MEA spokesperson said

Deep Dive

Why did Pakistan summon the US diplomat over Sergio Gor's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir?

Pakistan summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires to protest Gor's remarks, stating they were 'factually incorrect' and contradicted Washington's longstanding position on Kashmir, which they allege awaits final disposition according to UNSC resolutions.

What did US ambassador Sergio Gor say about Jammu and Kashmir during his visit?

Sergio Gor referred to Jammu and Kashmir as 'an important part of India' and commended the security efforts by the administration, signaling a potential shift in the US's travel advisories for the region.

How did the Indian Ministry of External Affairs respond to Pakistan's frustration over Gor's comments?

India's Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, stated they see no reason to comment on Pakistan's frustration and reiterated that Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are integral parts of India.
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Row after US ambassador calls J&K an important part of India

Also read: MEA on no permit for Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's US trip: Event wasn't appropriate to CM’s officeGor's visit also came after heightened tensions in the region following the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Addressing mediapersons after the meeting, Gor, commended the security efforts made by the administration of the Union Territory and the Centre to make Jammu and Kashmir safer, and signalled a potential shift in Washington's stance by indicating that the US may re-evaluate and "downgrade" its highest-level travel warning for J&K.

"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," Gor had said.

However, the remarks irked Pakistan as Islamabad later summoned the US Charge d'Affaires, lodging a protest stating that Gor's remarks regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir were "factually incorrect" and contradict Washington's longstanding position on Kashmir.

In the statement, Pakistan said that it “strongly condemned” the remarks and called them “irresponsible”. “It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is…awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs claimed.

It claimed that the statement “ran contrary to the United States' commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN charter.”

Distancing himself from the row, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the summoning of a US diplomat by Islamabad was an issue between Pakistan and the United States.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sana Fazili

Sana started her career in 2018 with News18 and later moved to BoomLive. In the meantime, she thought it was a good idea to share what she learnt, hence took up part-time teaching of journalism course at Jamia Millia Islamia, which she says, she thoroughly enjoyed-not sure if the feeling was mutual. For a year, she also tried her hands at communication roles, only to realise she was more comfortable with news. So, joined HT in September 2025. Not much of a talker, always up for chai and sarcasm. And pun always intended. Her tag line is 'I will figure out, but I need to panic first'

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