Srinagar: United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday said Washington will review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing improvements in the security situation, while describing the Union Territory as an important part of India and an “incredibly beautiful place”.
Gor made the remarks after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a joint media briefing, the US envoy said the United States regularly re-evaluates its travel warnings and Jammu and Kashmir would be part of that review process.
“I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we are going to look at,” Gor said, adding that authorities in New Delhi and the Jammu and Kashmir government had taken significant steps towards making the region safer.
He said the US would examine whether the current risk level for Jammu and Kashmir should be downgraded, noting that many Americans would be interested in visiting the region because of its natural beauty and opportunities. However, he clarified that no immediate decision had been taken regarding any change in the travel advisory.
Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India and said he was delighted to be visiting the region for the first time.
“We just had a very good meeting and we have some follow-ups that we hope to take back to Washington and New Delhi. It was a very warm and cordial meeting, and we look forward to building this relationship further,” he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the meeting focused on India-US relations, with particular emphasis on what the United States could do in relation to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We had an opportunity to discuss relations between our two countries with a specific focus on what the US can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister said there were certain “legacy issues” that would be addressed over time and expressed optimism about deeper engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States.
“This conversation will continue both between Ambassador Gor and Washington, and between me and the Government of India in New Delhi. We are hopeful that engagement between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir will both widen and deepen in the years ahead,” he said.
Gor arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh and is scheduled to visit Ladakh on Thursday.
