The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday brushed aside Pakistan’s summons to a top US diplomat over US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s remark that Jammu and Kashmir is an “important part of India”.
In response to a question on Pakistan sparking a diplomatic protest over Gor’s remarks, he described the row as born out of Islamabad’s frustration. “I see no reason to comment on Pakistan’s frustration. After meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he remarked: “This is an important part of India, and so I’m here visiting for the first time. It’s an incredibly beautiful place, and so I’m thrilled to be here, thrilled to see this place. We had a very good meeting, and we have some follow-ups that we’ll take back to Washington, back to Delhi”.
Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, addressed the bi-weekly press briefing in Delhi and said both Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and indivisible parts of India. “They were, they are, and they will remain so,” he emphasised. He said he didn’t need to comment further. This is what I have to say,” he said. Sergio Gor , who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, said the union territory — over which New Delhi and Islamabad fought several wars — is an “important part of India”.
