US Ambassador Sergio Gor visited Srinagar, where he described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India. The visit included a meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Gor's Meeting With Omar Abdullah

Ahead of the meeting, Omar Abdullah struck a cautious note about expectations from the engagement. "Our matters won't be solved in Washington," the chief minister said, underlining that Jammu and Kashmir's problems are resolved by Delhi, not Washington.

Mehbooba Mufti's Appeal

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti used the occasion to urge the US Ambassador to review and withdraw the American travel advisory on Kashmir. The advisory has long been a point of contention for the region's political leadership, who argue it hurts tourism and the local economy.

Significance of the Visit

The ambassador's trip to Srinagar and his remarks affirming Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India drew wide attention, with reactions from across the region's political spectrum. The visit was closely watched given the sensitive nature of the Kashmir issue in India-US relations.