Srinagar, August 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that the issues facing Jammu and Kashmir have to be resolved by New Delhi and not Washington, asserting that he would not seek intervention from a foreign diplomat in matters concerning the Union Territory.

Omar made the remarks ahead of the scheduled visit of US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, who is expected to arrive in Srinagar on Wednesday afternoon. Gor will spend the night in Srinagar before travelling to Ladakh on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after an early morning tour of Srinagar to inspect development projects and review ongoing civic works, Omar said he was looking forward to meeting the US Ambassador.

“After a long time, a US ambassador is coming to Jammu and Kashmir, and I am meeting an American ambassador after a very long time. Let him come; we will talk to him,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister said he was also interested in hearing the envoy’s views and understanding the purpose of his visit.

“I would like to hear more from him. But he is also coming to listen. Let’s see what kind of conversation we will have,” he said.

Omar said the discussion would focus on Jammu and Kashmir and the prevailing situation in the Union Territory. However, he made it clear that he would not complain about the region’s problems or seek solutions from the US representative.

“Whether he listens or not, our problems have nothing to do with him. It is not my habit to complain to an ambassador from another country,” Omar said.

Emphasising that the responsibility for resolving Jammu and Kashmir’s issues rests with the Centre, he said, “Washington will not solve our problems. Our central government has to solve our problems. It would be wrong to complain to an ambassador from another country.”

“I will talk about Jammu and Kashmir and our situation, but I will not complain. I will not try to find a solution to our problems from him,” the Chief Minister added.

The meeting between Omar Abdullah and Sergio Gor will be significant as it is expected to be the first meeting between a serving US Ambassador and a sitting Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in more than 15 years.

Gor has previously visited several Indian states, including Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra, where he interacted with political leaders.

Omar’s remarks underline his position that while he is willing to engage with the US envoy and discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the resolution of the region’s political and other issues remains the responsibility of the Government of India.