Srinagar, Aug 20 (JKNS): BJP Jammu & Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur on Thursday described US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s remarks on Jammu & Kashmir as a major diplomatic achievement for India, saying the envoy’s acknowledgement of J&K as an “important part of India” reflects the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
Addressing a press conference here, Thakur as per news agency JKNS, welcomed the visit of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to Srinagar, describing his remarks that Jammu & Kashmir is an “important part of India” as a major diplomatic achievement and a strong reflection of the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
Thakur said the US Ambassador’s statement from Srinagar carries considerable diplomatic significance, particularly at a time when Pakistan has repeatedly attempted to internationalise the Jammu & Kashmir issue.
Gor made the remarks during his maiden visit to J&K and also indicated that Washington would reassess its travel advisory for the region.
“Sergio Gor’s statement that Jammu & Kashmir is an important part of India is a major diplomatic achievement for the country and a clear reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successful foreign policy. The world is increasingly recognising the ground reality of J&K, and Pakistan’s propaganda stands exposed,” Thakur said.
He said the significance of the statement was heightened by the fact that it came during the US Ambassador’s visit to Srinagar, where he witnessed the situation on the ground and moved freely through the city, including enjoying a Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
Thakur said the visit demonstrated the transformation Jammu & Kashmir has undergone in recent years.
“Those who once projected Kashmir to the world as a region of perpetual unrest must now answer why a senior American diplomat can visit Srinagar, meet the elected Chief Minister, travel freely and publicly acknowledge J&K as an important part of India. This is the new Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
The BJP spokesperson strongly welcomed Gor’s indication that the United States would review its travel warning for Jammu & Kashmir, saying the move would have a positive impact on the region’s tourism and economy. Gor said the US periodically reassesses travel warnings and that the advisory for J&K would be examined, including whether it should be downgraded.
“We wholeheartedly welcome the US Ambassador’s decision to look at the travel advisory. Jammu & Kashmir is ready to welcome American and international tourists. A review and possible downgrading of the advisory will send a powerful confidence-building message and can open new opportunities for tourism, investment and employment for our youth,” Thakur said.
He credited Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for strengthening India’s diplomatic position globally and ensuring that the international narrative on Jammu & Kashmir increasingly reflects peace, development and democratic governance.
“This is the outcome of a confident India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India today does not need to explain Jammu & Kashmir to the world through defensive diplomacy. The changing global perception itself is testimony to the success of our foreign policy,” Thakur said.
Thakur also said the visit and Gor’s comments had given a strong rebuttal to Pakistan’s narrative on J&K.
“Pakistan has spent decades manufacturing a false narrative about Kashmir. Today, that narrative is collapsing before the eyes of the international community. The reality is visible Jammu & Kashmir is peaceful, democratic, developing and increasingly connected with the world,” he said.
He said the Ambassador’s visit should also be viewed in the context of the improved security environment in the Union Territory, noting that Gor specifically acknowledged the steps taken by the Centre and the J&K administration to make the region safer.
Thakur said Jammu & Kashmir must now leverage the growing international confidence to accelerate tourism, investment, employment and economic development.
“Sergio Gor’s visit is not merely a diplomatic event; it is a message of confidence in the new Jammu & Kashmir. We welcome him to Kashmir and hope that his visit becomes the beginning of a much deeper engagement between Jammu & Kashmir and the United States in tourism, trade, technology and investment,” he said.
Thakur added that the BJP would continue to work towards strengthening peace, development and India’s national interests in Jammu & Kashmir. (JKNS)