India Dismisses Pakistan’s Protest Over Sergio Gor’s J&K Remarks

India on Friday dismissed Pakistan’s diplomatic protest over US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s remarks describing Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India”, saying it saw no reason to comment on Islamabad’s “frustration” over the statement.

Pakistan had summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and lodged a protest over Gor’s remarks during his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir. India, meanwhile, reiterated that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country. According to Hindustan Times, Gor had also indicated that Washington could reconsider its travel advisory for the region.

“I will repeat, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. They were, they are, and they will remain so,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi.

“I see no reason to comment on Pakistan's frustration. This is what I have to say,” he said in response to a question on Pakistan’s diplomatic protest over Gor’s remarks.

Gor visited Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and described the Union Territory as “an important part of India”. He also indicated that the US may re-evaluate and “downgrade” its highest-level travel warning for J&K, signalling a potential shift in Washington’s stance.

“This is an important part of India and so I'm here visiting for the first time. It's an incredibly beautiful place, and so I'm thrilled to be here, thrilled to see this place. We had a very good meeting, and we have some follow-ups that we'll take back to Washington, back to Delhi. But, a very warm, very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship forward,” Gor had said.

Gor commended the security efforts made by the administration of the Union Territory and the Centre to make Jammu and Kashmir safer. According to Hindustan Times, he also indicated that the US may re-evaluate and “downgrade” its highest-level travel warning for J&K.

The remarks irked Pakistan, which later summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and lodged a protest, saying Gor’s comments regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir were “factually incorrect” and contradicted Washington’s longstanding position on Kashmir.

In its statement, Pakistan “strongly condemned” the remarks and called them “irresponsible”. “It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is…awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs claimed.

Islamabad also said Gor’s statement “ran contrary to the United States' commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN charter.”

J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, meanwhile, distanced himself from the row on Thursday, saying that Pakistan’s summoning of a US diplomat was an issue between Pakistan and the United States.