MEA snubs Pakistan’s protest over US envoy’s remarks in Srinagar

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 21 (STC): India on Friday dismissed Pakistan’s objections to remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Jammu and Kashmir, with the Ministry of External Affairs asserting that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral and indivisible” parts of the country.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while addressing ministry’s weekly media briefing here said, “New Delhi sees no reason to comment on Pakistan’s frustration over the US envoy’s recent statement during his visit to Srinagar.”
“I will repeat, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. They were, they are, and they will remain so,” Jaiswal said.
“I see no reason to comment on Pakistan’s frustration. This is what I have to say,” he reiterated.
The remarks came two days after Pakistan summoned the US Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a protest over Gor’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan had termed the ambassador’s remarks “factually incorrect”, maintaining that they were inconsistent with what it described as Washington’s longstanding position on the Kashmir issue.
Gor, who was in Srinagar on Wednesday for his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, had described the Union Territory as an “important part of India” after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The visit assumed significance as it came nearly seven years after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and followed the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with CM Omar, the US envoy also praised the security measures taken by the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, saying significant steps had been taken to make the region safer.
He indicated that Washington could review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, which currently places the region under its highest Level 4 warning, advising US citizens not to travel there.
Gor said the US periodically reassesses its travel advisories and suggested that the warning for Jammu and Kashmir could be downgraded following improvements in the security situation.
“I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something that we are going to look at,” he said.
The envoy also said Jammu and Kashmir offered considerable tourism potential and that more Americans could visit the region if the security assessment improved.
It’s in place to mention here that after Pakistan summoned US diplomat over ambassador Gor’s remarks in Srinagar, CM Omar had said that it was an issue between Islamabad and Washington and did not concern his administration.
Gor’s comments have drawn attention in the region, particularly against the backdrop of continued differences between India and Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir.
India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and that matters concerning the Union Territory are internal to India.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs KNO)