Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday indicated that Washington could review and potentially downgrade its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, saying improved security conditions should encourage greater American travel to the region.
Gor made the remarks during his maiden visit to Jammu and Kashmir, where he met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and held discussions on India-US relations and areas of potential engagement with the Union Territory.
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India, Gor praised the region’s beauty and said he was pleased to visit it for the first time.
“It’s a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India. It’s my first time. It’s a beautiful place and I’m thrilled to be here,” Gor said.
The US envoy described his meetings in Jammu and Kashmir as productive and indicated that the discussions would be taken forward at higher levels in Delhi and Washington.
“We had beautiful meetings. We hope to take follow-ups to Delhi and Washington,” he said.
Abdullah, meanwhile, described his meeting with Gor as “very good”, saying the discussions covered bilateral relations between India and the United States as well as areas where Washington could contribute to Jammu and Kashmir.
“It was a very good meeting. We discussed relations between the two countries and what the US can do for us,” the Chief Minister said.
The discussions also covered what Abdullah described as “legacy issues” that continue to require attention. He said efforts would be made to address these matters and expressed optimism about strengthening engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States.
“We are hopeful and optimistic that the relationship between J&K and the US will go up,” Abdullah said.
Gor stopped short of announcing any major initiative during his visit but acknowledged the security improvements undertaken by the authorities.
“I cannot make big announcements today,” he said, while referring to steps taken by the Centre and the J&K government to improve the security situation.
A significant issue in the discussions was the US travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir. Gor indicated that Washington could consider revising the advisory in response to improvements in the security environment.
“We will see about the advisory and it should be downgraded,” he said.
Gor also suggested that there was considerable interest among Americans in visiting Jammu and Kashmir if security concerns and travel advisories are addressed.
“A lot of Americans would like to come here,” he said.
His remarks assume significance for Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism sector, which has been seeking to expand its international footprint and attract more visitors from the United States and other Western countries.
A reassessment of the US advisory could potentially help strengthen international confidence in the region’s tourism sector, particularly as Jammu and Kashmir seeks to position itself as a major destination for international travellers.
The envoy’s visit also comes amid efforts to deepen engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and international stakeholders. While no specific initiative was announced, Gor’s comments indicated that discussions are likely to continue in Delhi and Washington.
Both Gor and Abdullah struck an optimistic tone on the future of engagement. While the US envoy pointed towards further consultations and a possible review of the travel advisory, the Chief Minister expressed hope that relations between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States would strengthen in the coming period.
