Pakistan protests US envoy’s "part of India" Kashmir comment

Pakistan has summoned the US chargé d’affaires in Islamabad and lodged a formal protest over remarks by US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, who described Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India.”

Gor made the comments during his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir after meeting regional Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, the territory’s capital.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described the ambassador’s remarks as “factually incorrect” and categorically rejected any characterization of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India.

“Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘part of India’,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said Pakistan regards Jammu and Kashmir as an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status should be determined in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

“It was highlighted that the irresponsible statement by the US ambassador negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute, and also ran contrary to the United States’ commitment to supremacy of international law and the UN Charter,” it said.

Gor also indicated that Washington could review its travel advisory for the disputed region.

Islamabad further referred to US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan over Kashmir following last year’s conflict, urging Washington to ensure that public statements by its officials remain consistent with the territory’s disputed status.

India has yet to comment on Pakistan’s reaction to Gor’s remarks.

By Vafa Guliyeva