SRINAGAR: US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs Sergio Gor is scheduled to travel to the Kashmir Valley on Wednesday, marking his first official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, officials said, according to a report by ETV Bharat.
During his stay in Srinagar, Gor is expected to meet Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha as well as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in separate meetings. He is also likely to spend the night at the Taj Hotel, officials said.
A senior police officer, who requested anonymity, was quoted saying that arrangements for the visit are underway. A delegation associated with Gor has already arrived in Srinagar ahead of his scheduled programme.
The visit takes place against the backdrop of growing India-US engagement on security and strategic matters. Gor recently met Home Minister of India Amit Shah for discussions that included bilateral cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism and counter-narcotics, officials said.
As the US envoy holds responsibilities covering both India and the wider South and Central Asian region, his visit to Kashmir is being viewed in the broader context of regional security and stability. His proposed meetings with Jammu and Kashmir’s elected and constitutional leadership could touch upon security-related matters and the wider strategic partnership between India and the United States.
While the official agenda has not been made public, tourism and the economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir may also come up during the discussions.
Gor had previously visited India’s Western Command alongside US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo. Security concerns concerning Jammu and Kashmir and India’s western frontier were among the issues discussed during that engagement, officials said.
