A statement by US Ambassador Sergio Gore in Srinagar has created a new diplomatic stir in Pakistan. Gore described Jammu and Kashmir as an ‘important part of India’, after which Islamabad summoned the US diplomat and lodged a strong protest.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore visited Jammu and Kashmir for the first time on Wednesday. After meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, he said that “Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India” and described it as a very beautiful place. This statement has come at a time when Pakistan has been continuously opposing India’s stand regarding Jammu and Kashmir.
Hours after Gore’s remarks, Pakistan summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires to the State Department and lodged a strong diplomatic protest, calling the statement ‘irresponsible’. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, it described Gore’s statement as contrary to its stand regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
What did Sergio Gore say in Srinagar?
After meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Sergio Gore described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India. He also mentioned the beauty of Kashmir. Gore’s visit to Srinagar is his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir as US Ambassador to India.
Gore also indicated that the US may review its existing travel advisory regarding Jammu and Kashmir. He said that America reviews its travel warnings from time to time and the advisory of Jammu and Kashmir will also be considered. However, he did not announce any major changes immediately.
Why did Pakistan summon the US diplomat?
On the statement of Sergio Gore, Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the American Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a formal protest. Pakistan termed Gore’s statement as ‘factually incorrect’ and ‘irresponsible’. That is, some words of the US Ambassador in Srinagar made Islamabad so uncomfortable that Pakistan had to call a senior diplomat of the US mission and register its objection.
Why is it important for Sergio Gore to say ‘part of India’?
Gore’s statement is also in discussion because it came during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of giving any statement in the context of any separate agreement, negotiation or mediation, he directly described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India. According to former diplomat Mahesh Sachdev, this statement should be viewed with different importance for this reason. However, there is a difference between the terms ‘important part of India’ and ‘integral part of India’. Therefore, before presenting this statement as a completely decisive change in American policy, it is important to look at its broader diplomatic context.
What did Omar Abdullah talk to the US Ambassador?
Sergio Gore met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed the priorities of Jammu and Kashmir and issues related to economic cooperation. Gore said that the purpose of the talks was to deepen economic cooperation between the two countries and create beneficial opportunities for both countries. Interestingly, before Gore’s visit, Omar Abdullah had made it clear that the issues of Jammu and Kashmir have to be resolved in Delhi and not in Washington.
Congress leader said- J&K is an integral part of India
On Sergio Gore’s statement, Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and there is no need for proof from any outside country for this. That is, after the US Ambassador’s remarks, the main tone of political reaction in India was that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and it is the country’s own constitutional and political subject.
Former diplomat KP Fabian also replied
Former diplomat KP Fabian also reacted to Gore’s statement and said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and India does not need the support or validation of any other country. One thing is clear from this that the US Ambassador’s statement is being seen in India in the context of Pakistan’s perspective, but the official position of the Indian side is already clear.
Mahesh Sachdev told why this tour is important
Former Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev described Gore’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir as important on two levels. According to him, the US Ambassador’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir is a message in itself and his saying that Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India is even more important. He also said that if in the future, language like ‘integral part’ comes instead of ‘important part’ in American policy, then it can be considered as a big change.
American travel advisory may also be an issue in Kashmir
America’s Jammu and Kashmir travel advisory is also an important aspect of Sergio Gore’s visit. Gore indicated that the US may review its advisory considering the security situation in the region and recent actions. If there is a change in the US travel warning in future, it may have a direct impact on the tourism of Jammu and Kashmir and the movement of foreign tourists.
Why did the uneasiness increase for Pakistan?
Pakistan has been raising Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed issue in international forums for a long time. In such a situation, the US Ambassador’s arrival in Srinagar and at the same time calling Jammu and Kashmir an ‘important part’ of India is being considered as a diplomatically uncomfortable message for Islamabad. For this reason, Pakistan reacted immediately and summoned the American Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a formal protest.