Srinagar, Aug 19 (KNB): United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Wednesday said the US may review its travel warning for Jammu and Kashmir, acknowledging the steps taken by the governments to improve safety in the region.
Speaking to the media after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, Gor said the United States periodically reviews its travel warnings and would look into whether the existing advisory for Jammu and Kashmir 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 that we are going to look at,” Gor said.
He said the governments in New Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir had taken “incredible steps” towards making the region safer.
“New Delhi, the Chief Minister here, the government here, we believe, have made some incredible steps to keeping this area safer and making it more safe. So, we will be looking at if the travel warning that is imposed, that is recommended by the United States, is something that should be downgraded,” he said.
Calling Jammu and Kashmir a beautiful region, the US Ambassador said many Americans would enjoy visiting the place and experiencing its beauty and opportunities.
“This is a beautiful area. I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and opportunity that exists here,” he added.
Gor, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, described the region as an important part of India and said his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was warm and cordial.
“It’s a pleasure to be here. This is an important part of India. I am here visiting for the first time. It is an incredibly beautiful place. I am thrilled to be here and thrilled to see this place,” he said.
The Ambassador said the meeting with Omar Abdullah was productive and that there would be follow-up discussions.
“We just had a very good meeting. We have some follow-ups, so we hope to take back to Washington, back to Delhi. It was very warm and very cordial, and we look forward to building this relationship forward,” Gor said. (KNB)