Kashmir an important part of India, says Sergio Gor; US to reevaluate advisories on travel to J&K

Srinagar: The US ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday met J&K CM Omar Abdullah on his first visit to the Union Territory and said Kashmir is an important part of India and the US will reevaluate the advisories on travel to the region so that more and more Americans can come to this beautiful place. Gor said the travel advisory needs to be downgraded in view of the improved security situation.

Gor arrived in Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon, following which he met the CM at his residence on Gupkar Road. After the meeting, which lasted around 30 minutes, Gor, along with Abdullah and his party colleagues, jointly addressed the press.

"This is an important part of India. This is the first time I am here and this is an incredibly beautiful place. We had a very good meeting. We have some follow-ups that we have to take back to Washington and New Delhi," Gor told reporters here, adding, "We are hopeful to take this relationship forward."


The US ambassador to India, who also serves as the special envoy for South and Central Asia, said the central government, the J&K government and the CM here have taken some "incredible steps" to make the region safer.

"I cannot make any big announcement here... We will recommend that the travel warnings imposed and recommended by the US should be downgraded," said Gor. The J&K CM, in the presence of Gor, said: "There are obviously some legacy issues which, over time, we will be working to resolve. We look forward to taking this conversation further between ambassador Gor and Washington and New Delhi... We are hopeful and optimistic that this engagement between the US and J&K will deepen in the years ahead."