On J&K, US envoy says it like it is

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor spoke bluntly in Srinagar, declaring Kashmir "an important part of India". Washington is open to lifting the travel advisory on US citizens visiting Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), he added. The ambassador's remarks echo Washington's stance on Kashmir for over three decades. However, they must be considered within the current geopolitical climate and the impact of India-US relations following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

As US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, Gor's visit to Srinagar marks the first standalone trip by a US ambassador since Article 370's revocation. The Pakistan government summoned the US chargé d'affaires in protest of Gor's statement, a predictable move that ignores the reality. Gor's message also subtly acknowledges the sensitivity of India-US relations to Delhi's concerns about the region.

The eased travel advisory sends a message about the security gains post-August 2019, and comes after Trump claimed a role in the ceasefire post-Operation Sindoor, a claim Delhi denies. Pakistan's reaction and lobbying efforts in Washington are likely to intensify. India must remain composed despite the recent turmoil. India-US ties remain crucial for both nations, and neither should view the relationship through a Pakistani lens.

Gor's visit also comes after CM Abdullah reminded everyone that India's issues are resolved domestically, not in Washington. He emphasized the potential for US-J&K cooperation in areas like tourism, horticulture, and the new economy.