Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the United States Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad, Natalie Baker, and lodged a “strong demarche” over remarks made by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” during his first visit to the region.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the US envoy was summoned to protest what it called “the factually incorrect remarks of the US Ambassador to India, regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir, during his visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.” The ministry added, “Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘part of India’.”
The statement further underscored that Jammu and Kashmir was “an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.” Islamabad went on to describe Gor’s comments as “irresponsible,” alleging that they “negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute” and “ran contrary to the United States’ commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN Charter.” Pakistan also urged Washington to ensure its public statements remained “consistent” with its stated position on the Kashmir dispute.
The protest came within hours of Gor’s remarks in Srinagar, where he had arrived earlier on Wednesday for his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge as US ambassador. Speaking to reporters alongside Chief Minister Omar Abdullah after their meeting, Gor said, “Kashmir is an important part of India. I am visiting the place for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place.” He also indicated that Washington was reevaluating its existing travel advisory for American citizens visiting Jammu and Kashmir, citing the security arrangements in place under the Union Territory administration and the Government of India.
India has consistently maintained that the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is an integral and inseparable part of the country, a position New Delhi has reiterated at multiple international forums.
Gor’s remarks and the subsequent Pakistani protest come at a time of heightened diplomatic activity in the region, with the American envoy scheduled to travel onward to Ladakh, marking the first such visit by a senior US diplomat to the region since the 2020 Galwan clash between Indian and Chinese troops.