‘Kashmir Has Become Safer’; US Ambassador Says Washington May Review Kashmir Travel Advisory 

Srinagar, Aug 19, KNT: The United States may review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir following what US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described as steps that have made the region safer, potentially opening the way for more American visitors to Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on Wednesday, Gor said the US periodically evaluates its travel warnings and indicated that Washington would examine whether the existing advisory for Jammu and Kashmir should be downgraded.

“I can’t make any big announcement here today, but it is something we are going to look at,” Gor said.

He said the Chief Minister and the government in New Delhi had taken “incredible steps” towards making the region safer, adding that Kashmir’s beauty could attract more American visitors.

“I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and see the beauty that exists here,” the US envoy said.

Gor described his meeting with Omar as “very good” and said the discussions would have follow-up engagements, with some matters to be taken back to Washington.

Omar also described the meeting as positive, saying the discussions covered relations between India and the US, with a specific focus on what the US could do for Jammu and Kashmir.

“There are obviously certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve,” Omar said, adding that he looked forward to taking the conversation forward.

The Chief Minister as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust said the engagement would involve discussions between Gor and Washington on one side and between him and the Government of India in New Delhi on the other.

“We are hopeful and optimistic that the engagement between the US and Jammu and Kashmir will both widen and deepen in the years ahead,” Omar said.

Gor’s remarks on the travel advisory emerged as the most significant outcome of the interaction, as any downgrade could potentially make travel to Kashmir easier for American visitors and signal a change in Washington’s assessment of the security situation in the region. [KNT]

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