Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday described his meeting with US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor as “very good”, saying the discussions focused on India-US relations and areas where the United States could contribute to Jammu and Kashmir.Gor, who is on his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir, met Abdullah during his visit to the Valley amid efforts to strengthen engagement between J&K and the United States.
“It was a very good meeting. We discussed relations between the two countries and what the US can do for us,” Abdullah said.
The Chief Minister said the discussions also covered “legacy issues” that continue to require attention.“We have legacy issues which we will be talking to resolve,” Abdullah said, without elaborating on the issues discussed.
Abdullah also expressed optimism about the future of engagement between Jammu and Kashmir and the United States.
“We are hopeful and optimistic that the relationship between J&K and the US will go up,” he said.
Gor, meanwhile, said the meeting with Abdullah had been productive and indicated that follow-up discussions would be held in New Delhi and Washington.
“We had beautiful meetings. We hope to take follow-ups to Delhi and Washington,” the US envoy said.
The meeting assumes significance as Jammu and Kashmir seeks to deepen international engagement and expand its tourism and economic links with the United States.
Gor also acknowledged the security improvements undertaken in J&K, saying the Centre and the Chief Minister had taken steps to make the region safer.
“I cannot make big announcements today,” he said, while noting the efforts made by New Delhi and the Chief Minister to improve the security situation.
The US envoy also indicated that Washington could review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir as the security situation improves.
“We will see about the advisory and it should be downgraded,” Gor said.
He added that there was considerable interest among Americans in visiting Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “Lot of Americans would like to come here.”
Gor’s visit is his first to Jammu and Kashmir and comes amid efforts to strengthen engagement between the region and international stakeholders.
