US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday called Jammu and Kashmir an “important part of India” during his first visit to the Union Territory, while also saying the United States would reconsider its travel advisories for the region.
Gor made the remarks during his visit to Srinagar, signalling a significant shift in the tone of Washington’s engagement with Jammu and Kashmir. The current US advisory asks American citizens not to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, except for eastern Ladakh and Leh. It specifically cites the possibility of terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest, and flags Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam among tourist destinations where violence could occur. Gor’s comments came after former chief minister and People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti made a specific appeal to the US envoy to review and withdraw the highest-level travel advisory against visiting Kashmir. His remarks came during a visit that is being closely watched for signs of Washington’s approach towards Kashmir. The ambassador is also scheduled to travel to Ladakh after his engagements in Kashmir.
The US State Department currently places Jammu and Kashmir, except eastern Ladakh and Leh, under a Level 4 “Do not travel” advisory, citing terrorism and civil unrest. During his visit, Gor said the United States would reconsider its advisories on travel to Jammu and Kashmir, responding to concerns over the impact of the warnings on tourism in the region. “For Kashmir, where thousands of families depend on tourism, the travel advisory on Kashmir is more than a warning, it is a wall between Kashmir and the world,” Mufti said in a post on X.
