US Ambassador Sergio Gor's declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India has triggered a diplomatic protest from Pakistan, which summoned the US charge d'affaires and strongly condemned the remarks. Pakistan reiterated its long-held stance that the region's status is pending UNSC resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, while India consistently maintains its full sovereignty over the territory.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor's declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India has triggered a diplomatic protest from Pakistan, which summoned the US charge d'affaires and strongly condemned the remarks. Pakistan reiterated its long-held stance that the region's status is pending UNSC resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, while India consistently maintains its full sovereignty over the territory.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor's declaration of Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India has triggered a diplomatic protest from Pakistan, which summoned the US charge d'affaires and strongly condemned the remarks. Pakistan reiterated its long-held stance that the region's status is pending UNSC resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people, while India consistently maintains its full sovereignty over the territory.

Hours after US ambassador to India Sergio Gor stated the Jammu and Kashmir is an "important part of India", Pakistan summoned the US charge d'affaires in Islamabad and lodged a "strong demarche" against his remarks.

Islamabad said it "strongly condemned" the remarks and termed them "irresponsible.

"It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is…awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSČ resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people," claimed Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs.

India has always maintained that the entire Jammu and Kashmir, inclusive of the PoK region occupied by Islamabad, and Ladakh are integral parts of the nation.

During his visit, Gor said the US will reconsider the advisories on travel to Jammu and Kashmir with the governments at the Centre and the Union territory taking steps to make it a safer place.

"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 we are going to look at. 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," Gor said at a joint media briefing with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"So, we will be looking at if the travel warning that is imposed and recommended by the United States is something that should be downgraded because, as I said earlier, this is a beautiful area. I think a lot of Americans would enjoy coming here and seeing the beauty and the opportunities that exist here," he added.

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