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

During his visit, US ambassador Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an 'important part of India' and mentioned that the United States would reconsider its travel advisories for the region.

Why is Gor's visit to Jammu and Kashmir significant?

Gor's visit is significant as it marks the first by a US ambassador since taking office, reflecting an effort to deepen India-US relations, particularly regarding security and travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir.

How does the current US travel advisory affect tourism in Jammu and Kashmir?

The current US travel advisory discourages Americans from visiting Jammu and Kashmir due to concerns over terrorism and civil unrest, which has raised issues for the tourism sector relying on visitors to the region.

Pakistan summons US charge d'affaires over Sergio Gor's remarks during J&K visit

In a statement on Wednesday, Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs said the US envoy to Islamabad was summoned and “a strong demarche lodged”.

Updated on: Aug 19, 2026, 22:33:35 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US charge d'affaires in Islamabad over remarks made by US ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Sergio Gor had said, during his visit to Srinagar, that Jammu and Kashmir “is an important part of India.” (AP Photo)

In a statement released on Wednesday, Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs said the US envoy to Islamabad was summoned and “a strong demarche lodged” against Gor's remarks.

Gor had, earlier on Wednesday during his visit to Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, said the union territory “is an important part of India.” This was his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, during which the US ambassador to India also said that America would reconsider its travel advisories for the region.

Deep Dive

Ask HT

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.”

Also Read | After Trump, US envoy cites India's 660 million voters to push voter ID

Gor's visit to J&K, meeting with CM Abdullah

Gor, during his visit, met Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah. Speaking to the media after the meeting, he said, “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.”

He said he had a “good meeting” with the J&K CM, adding that there were “some follow-ups” which Gor would “take back to Washington.” “But, a very warm, very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship forward,” the US ambassador to India said.

Gor also highlighted the “significant steps” taken to keep the union territory “more safe”. “The United States puts out travel warnings and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something that we are going to look at,” he said. The US currently has a Level 4 "do not travel" advisory for its citizens.

Gor, however, said the US would be “looking at if the travel warning that is imposed” could be downgraded. “This is a beautiful area, I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and opportunity that exists here,” he said.

J&K chief minister Abdullah, meanwhile, said he had a “very good meeting” with Gor on the “possibilities that exist to widen & deepen the engagement between J&K & the United States of America, particularly in areas like tourism, horticulture & the new economy.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.