Pakistan summons US diplomat after Sergio Gor calls J&K ‘important part of India’

Pakistan: Islamabad summoned US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker on Wednesday and lodged a "strong demarche" over remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor about Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the Union Territory.

Gor, who is also the Trump administration's Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, said in Srinagar that Jammu and Kashmir is an important part of India and an "incredibly beautiful place".

The remarks came during his visit to the Union Territory, where he also took a 'shikara' ride on the famous Dal Lake.

Gor backs safer Kashmir travel

Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Gor said the US would reconsider its travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the central government and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had taken steps to make the region safer.

The comments prompted a response from Pakistan's Foreign Office within hours, with the US Charge d'Affaires summoned in Islamabad.

Pakistan rejects ambassador’s remarks

Pakistan's Foreign Office said it "strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a 'part of India'."

"It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The statement also criticised what it called the US ambassador's "irresponsible statement".

Islamabad cites US position

According to the Foreign Office, the remarks "negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute".

Pakistan further said the comments ran contrary to the US commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter.

The Foreign Office also referred to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue following the four-day conflict in May last year.

Pakistan said the US side was urged to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with what it described as the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.