US Ambassador Sergio Gor visits Srinagar with J&K CM OmarPakistan on Wednesday summoned the US Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a protest after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” during his visit to Srinagar on Wednesday. The remarks came as Gor made his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking office and met chief minister Omar Abdullah.

Gor’s comments were made during a joint media briefing with Abdullah following their meeting at the chief minister’s residence. “It’s a pleasure to be here.

This is an important part of India. I am here, visiting for the first time.

It is an incredibly beautiful place. I am thrilled to be here,” the US envoy said.

Gor also indicated that Washington could reconsider its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying the US regularly reviews its warnings. “I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at,” Gor said, adding that the US would consider whether its existing travel warning should be downgraded.

“We look forward to taking this conversation further,” Abdullah said, adding that he was “very hopeful and optimistic” that engagement between the US and Jammu and Kashmir would “both widen and deepen in the years ahead”.