ibn sultan
Srinagar, August 20: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has criticised the way foreign dignitaries visit Jammu and Kashmir, saying their tours have become “curated” since 2019 and no longer provide them an opportunity to interact with different sections of society.
Her remarks came a day after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar, met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India.” Gor also indicated that the US may review its travel advisory for J&K and explore greater economic engagement with the region.
Mehbooba said the visit of a foreign ambassador, particularly from the US, was not a new development. However, she said there was a significant difference between such visits before and after 2019.
According to her, before 2019, foreign ambassadors would meet representatives from different sections, including tourism, trade, travel and other communities, before returning with a better understanding of the situation on the ground.
“After 2019, the visits of these foreign dignitaries have become curated. They come, meet the Chief Minister and the Governor, go for a Shikara ride and leave,” she said.
‘J&K Issues Have to Be Resolved by New Delhi’
Mehbooba agreed with Omar Abdullah’s position that the problems of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved by Washington and that New Delhi would have to address them.
However, she criticised the Chief Minister for not using the opportunity to convey the concerns of the people of J&K to the US Ambassador.
She referred to the US military action in Iran and its wider impact on Muslim countries, saying such issues could also have been discussed during the ambassador’s visit.
‘Thousands Are in Jails, Raids and Property Attachments Continue’
The PDP chief also alleged that thousands of people from Jammu and Kashmir are in jails and claimed that people are being removed from jobs, raids are being conducted and properties are being attached.
She said these were issues that Omar Abdullah could raise with New Delhi and that there was no need to take them up with Washington.
Recalling the tenure of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Mehbooba said his government had pursued dialogue and reconciliation with different stakeholders, including Pakistan, and had opened routes for greater connectivity.
She urged Omar Abdullah to similarly persuade New Delhi to address the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Welcomes Possible Review of US Travel Advisory
Mehbooba welcomed Sergio Gor’s indication that the US could review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.
She said greater American economic engagement in sectors such as horticulture and handicrafts could create employment opportunities and benefit the region’s economy.
‘We Should Not Take America So Seriously’
Reacting to Gor’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India,” Mehbooba said, “I don’t think we need to take America so seriously.”
She alleged that US interventions in different parts of the world had resulted in destruction, citing Vietnam and Iran.
Mehbooba further said the US was not in a position to “certify” India’s position on Jammu and Kashmir, adding that America was not their “master” to issue a certificate before anything could be said.
