ibn sultan
Srinagar, August 19: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrived in Kashmir on Wednesday for his maiden visit to the Valley and indicated that Washington may review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Gor described his visit as a “wonderful experience” and called Kashmir an “incredibly beautiful place.”
“This is an important part of India. I’m here visiting for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place, and so I’m thrilled to be here,” he said.
Gor said his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was “very good” and that there would be follow-up discussions in Washington and New Delhi.
“We look forward to building this relationship forward,” the US envoy said.
Travel advisory may be downgraded
Gor said the United States periodically reviews its travel warnings and indicated that the advisory currently recommending against travel to Jammu and Kashmir could be reconsidered.
“The United States puts out travel warnings, and every so often we re-evaluate those travel warnings. I cannot make any big announcements here today, but it is something we’re going to look at,” he said.
The ambassador also acknowledged the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration to improve the security situation.
“The Chief Minister here, the Government here, we believe have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer,” Gor said, adding that Washington would examine whether the existing travel warning could be downgraded.
He also said that many Americans could be interested in visiting Kashmir to experience its natural beauty and explore the opportunities available in the region.
Gor is scheduled to meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha during his stay in Kashmir before travelling to Ladakh on Thursday.
His visit comes on the same day that PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urged the US envoy to review and withdraw the travel advisory, arguing that it affects Kashmir’s tourism-dependent economy and acts as a barrier between the region and international visitors.
