After US ambassador Sergio Gor described Kashmir as an “important part of India” and Pakistan lodged a protest, chief minister Omar Abdullah said that it was a matter between the US and Pakistan.
Neither you nor I can do anything on this.
When asked about Pakistan’s protest, Omar said, “This is an issue between the US and Pakistan. Whatever the US ambassador has said is between the two countries.”
“I am not going to enter into a war of words over this. He came, met the CM, took a Shikara ride and left. Mufti alleged that unfortunately Omar did not raise the issue of Kashmir with New Delhi. “Sergio Gor’s statement is a major diplomatic achievement for the country and a clear reflection of Modi’s successful foreign policy.
“The only difference is that before 2019, whenever the US ambassador visited Kashmir, they used to meet a cross-section of society and form their opinion. Post-2019, all tours of foreign dignitaries are curated.
On the Congress calling the US ambassador’s remarks a “third party intervention”, the CM said the Congress is the biggest opposition party and is entitled to its point of view. Meanwhile, former J&K CM and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said it was not the first time a US ambassador had visited Kashmir. I agree with Omar that the solution to our problems lies with New Delhi, not with the US,” Mufti said. “At least Omar should have shown displeasure to the ambassador over the killing of people in Iran and other Muslim countries, as J&K also gets affected when people are killed there,” Mufti said. BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur welcomed the visit of Sergio Gor to Srinagar, describing his remarks that J&K is an “important part of India” as a major diplomatic achievement and a strong reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy. Thakur said the US ambassador’s statement from Srinagar carries considerable diplomatic significance, particularly at a time when Pakistan has repeatedly attempted to internationalise the J&K issue. The world is increasingly recognising the ground reality of J&K, and Pakistan’s propaganda stands exposed,” he said. Thakur also said the visit demonstrated the transformation J&K has undergone in recent years.
