Calls on J&K CM in Srinagar
US-J&K engagement to widen, says Omar
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 19: Describing Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India, United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor on Wednesday said Washington would reassess its advisory cautioning citizens against travelling to the region.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence in Gupkar, Gor said the U.S. periodically reviews its travel warnings and that the advisory for J&K would also be examined.
“The United States issues travel warnings, and every so often we re-evaluate them. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at,” Gor said.
He said that the Centre and the J&K government had taken “incredible steps” towards making the region safer. “New Delhi, the Chief Minister here, the government here, have made some incredible steps to make this area safer. So we will look at whether the travel warning imposed and recommended by the U.S. should be downgraded. Because it is a beautiful area, and many Americans would like to come here and see its beauty,” he added.
Gor, who also serves as US Envoy for South and Central Asia, called Jammu and Kashmir an important part of India.
“As everybody here knows, I am the U.S. Ambassador to India. And this is an important part of India. I am here visiting for the first time,” he said.
The envoy described J&K as “incredibly beautiful” and said he was “thrilled” to be in the Valley.
On his meeting with Omar Abdullah, Gor termed it “very good” and “very cordial.”
“We have some follow-ups that we hope to take back to Washington, back to Delhi. It was very warm, very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship further,” he said.
In a post on X, Gor said they discussed ways to deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both nations.
“Appreciated the opportunity to meet with Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister @Omarabdullah and to learn more about his priorities. We discussed ways to deepen economic collaboration and create opportunities that would mutually benefit both of our nations,” he wrote.
In another post, Gor said he very much enjoyed meeting the Chief Minister.
Later, the U.S. envoy took a Shikara ride in Dal Lake.
Meanwhile, as per an official communique, the United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, called on the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, in Srinagar as part of his maiden visit to Jammu & Kashmir.
During the meeting, the two sides engaged in broad-based discussions. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the strong bilateral relationship between India and the United States would yield positive outcomes for Jammu & Kashmir. He voiced optimism for further widening and deepening engagement across sectors such as tourism, horticulture & the new economy.
Ambassador Gor noted that the meeting was held in a cordial manner. He noted that Jammu & Kashmir’s rich natural heritage holds strong appeal for visitors from the United States. He added that potential avenues to facilitate increased tourism and promote travel from the United States would be explored.
The United States delegation included Senior Advisor Chester (Brand) Kroeger, Chief of Staff Lisa Browne, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Advisor A. Sukesh.
From the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the meeting was attended by Cabinet Minister Sakeena Itoo, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Gurwinder Singh Oberoi and Member of the Legislative Assembly, Tanvir Sadiq.
Moreover, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was “very hopeful and optimistic” that engagement between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir would widen and deepen in the years ahead.
Speaking to reporters outside his residence here after meeting US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, Omar said the discussions focused on India-US relations, with particular emphasis on what the United States could do for Jammu and Kashmir.
“It was, as Ambassador Gor has said, a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the U.S. can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar said.
He said there were certain “legacy issues” that would be addressed over time, while expressing willingness to continue the conversation.
“There are obviously certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve, but we look forward to taking this conversation further,” he said.
Omar said the engagement would involve discussions between the US envoy and Washington, as well as between him and the Government of India in New Delhi.
“This is a conversation that will take place both between Ambassador Gor and Washington and between me and the Government of India in New Delhi,” he said. “We are very hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the United States of America and Jammu and Kashmir will both widen and deepen in the years ahead,” Omar added. (Inputs from KNO)
