Srinagar, Aug 19: The United States is likely to re-evaluate its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir in view of measures taken by the central government and the Union Territory administration to improve the security situation, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Wednesday.
Gor, who arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, said Washington periodically reviews its travel advisories and would examine whether the existing warning for J&K should be downgraded.
“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 are going to look at,” Gor said at a joint media briefing with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
He said the central government, the J&K administration and the Chief Minister had taken significant steps towards making the region safer.
Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India and praised its natural beauty, saying many Americans could benefit from visiting the region and exploring its tourism and other opportunities.
The US envoy met Abdullah at the Chief Minister’s residence in Srinagar shortly after his arrival. Describing the meeting as “very good” and “cordial”, Gor said discussions covered several issues and that follow-up engagements would be taken forward in Washington and New Delhi.
Abdullah said the meeting focused on India-US relations, particularly on the scope of greater US engagement with Jammu and Kashmir.
“There are obviously certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve,” Abdullah said, adding that he looked forward to taking the conversation further with Gor and the Government of India.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism that engagement between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir would “both widen and deepen” in the years ahead.
Gor is scheduled to visit Ladakh on Thursday as part of his ongoing tour.
