Gor, who was in Srinagar on Wednesday, described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” and called it “an incredibly beautiful place”.

#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | After meeting with CM Omar Abdullah, US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, “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, thrilled… pic.twitter.com/5NQbNYvNo1

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2026

What Sergio Gor said in Srinagar

Gor made the remarks while visiting Srinagar, where he met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and took a shikara ride on Dal Lake.

VIDEO | Srinagar: Exclusive visuals of US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor enjoying a shikara ride on the Dal Lake. pic.twitter.com/jUmmS7367F

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 19, 2026

The US envoy said Washington would reconsider its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, citing steps taken by the central government and the Omar Abdullah-led administration to improve security in the region.

Wonderful to experience the beauty of Srinagar with visits to Pari Mahal and the iconic Dal Lake! pic.twitter.com/y6nbjv6pBi

— Ambassador Sergio Gor (@USAmbIndia) August 19, 2026

Why Pakistan objected

Hours after Gor’s remarks, Pakistan’s Foreign Office summoned Baker in Islamabad and formally protested his description of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India. Islamabad said it “strongly condemned and categorically rejected” the characterisation. Pakistan said the region’s final status should be determined in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and what it described as the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan summons a US diplomat over Ambassador to India Sergio Gor’s remarks in Srinagar, where he described Jammu & Kashmir as an “important part of India 🇮🇳.”

Pakistan called the remarks “irresponsible.” pic.twitter.com/wrPX0KZBYf

— برهان الدین ‏| Burhan uddin (@burhan_uddin_0) August 19, 2026

“Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a ‘part of India’,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” the statement added.

What Pakistan told the US

The Pakistani Foreign Office described Gor’s remarks as “irresponsible” and said they contradicted what Islamabad called the longstanding US position on the Kashmir dispute. It also argued that the remarks were inconsistent with Washington’s stated commitment to international law and the UN Charter.

Pakistan further referred to US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan after the four-day military conflict in May 2025, and urged Washington to ensure that its public statements remained consistent with what Islamabad calls the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why Gor’s visit matters

Gor’s Srinagar visit was his first to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge as US ambassador to India. His description of the region as an “important part of India”, coupled with Washington’s indication that it could review its travel advisory, gives the visit significance beyond its diplomatic engagement.

(With inputs from PTI)