India dismisses Pakistan's 'frustration' over US envoy's J&K remark
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday dismissed Pakistan's diplomatic protest over US Ambassador Sergio Gor's remarks describing Jammu and Kashmir as an "important part of India", asserting that the Union Territories are an integral part of the country.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi, said India's position on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh remained unequivocal.
"Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. They were, they are, and they will remain so," Jaiswal said.
Asked about Pakistan's decision to summon a senior US diplomat over Gor's remarks, Jaiswal said he saw no reason to comment further on Islamabad's reaction.
"I see no reason to comment on Pakistan's frustration. This is what I have to say," he said.
What did Sergio Gor say?
Gor made the remarks during his ongoing visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
After meeting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Gor said the region was "an important part of India" and expressed enthusiasm about visiting it for the first time.
"This is an important part of India, and so I'm here visiting for the first time," Gor said, adding that he was impressed by the region's beauty and saw opportunities for greater engagement.
It was a pleasure to receive @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor in Srinagar today. We had a very good conversation about the possibilities that exist to widen & deepen the engagement between J&K & the United States of America, particularly in areas like tourism, horticulture & the new… pic.twitter.com/VsJdJSbzJg
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) August 19, 2026
He also said Washington would examine whether the existing US travel advisory for the region could eventually be downgraded.
Pakistan protests Gor's remarks
Gor's comments drew a sharp reaction from Islamabad, which summoned the US Charge d'Affaires and lodged a diplomatic protest.
Pakistan described the ambassador's statement as "factually incorrect" and said it was inconsistent with what it called Washington's longstanding position on Jammu and Kashmir.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of India's long-standing assertion that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country, while Pakistan continues to contest India's position on the territory.
US maintains travel warning for J&K
The US currently has a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Jammu and Kashmir.
During his visit, Gor indicated that Washington could review the advisory in the future.
He said the US would assess whether the travel warning could be downgraded, noting that the region's natural beauty and potential could attract more American visitors if travel restrictions were eased.
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