Srinagar Visit Sparks Row: Pakistan Summons US Diplomat Over Gor’s Comments

Pakistan has summoned the United States’ diplomatic representative in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest over remarks made by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Gor’s comments, in which he referred to Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India,” have triggered a fresh diplomatic exchange between Islamabad and Washington.

Gor’s comments on Srinagar visit

Sergio Gor made the remarks during a visit to Srinagar where he met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The meeting covered a host of issues, including tourism, horticulture and avenues for greater economic cooperation between India and the United States.

Gor also indicated that Washington might change its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir. The US currently has a travel warning for the region and a change in the advisory could affect tourism and perceptions of the region around the world.

But when he described Jammu and Kashmir as part of India, Pakistan reacted immediately.

Pakistan protest

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad to formally register its objections to Gor's comments. Islamabad has rejected in unambiguous terms the description of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India and said the ambassador’s remarks were factually incorrect.

Pakistan has reiterated its stance that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory. It said the final status of the region must be decided in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and what Islamabad called the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The Pakistani government also objected to what it saw as a deviation from Washington’s traditional stance on the Kashmir dispute.

India-US Engagement Continues:

Gor is visiting at a time when India and the United States are trying to deepen ties across a range of sectors. US President reportedly discussed economic opportunities and areas where increased India-US engagement could be beneficial to Jammu and Kashmir during the meeting with Omar Abdullah.

So the ambassador’s visit has been followed with great interest in both India and Pakistan as it is one of his first important assignments in the region after his diplomatic posting.

Gor is also expected to include Ladakh in his itinerary during his visit to India, further highlighting the priority Washington is giving to engagement with the Union Territories.

Kashmir remains a sensitive issue.

The latest diplomatic spat highlights the continuing sensitivities of Jammu and Kashmir in India-Pakistan relations. India maintains Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country but Pakistan challenges New Delhi's position and calls for the issue to be taken up by international organizations.

Gor’s comments have now added a US diplomatic dimension to the debate, with Pakistan formally registering its objection. The incident is unlikely to alter Washington’s broader relationship with either country, but it highlights how statements by senior diplomats can quickly become politically significant in the region.