Pakistan has strongly protested remarks made by the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, regarding his visit to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the status of the disputed territory. The US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a formal demarche was delivered.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan expressed serious concerns over statements made by the US ambassador during his visit to illegally Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir concerning the status of the territory.
Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the statement referring to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India. Pakistan made clear that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory, whose final status remains to be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
According to the Foreign Office, Pakistani officials made it clear to the US Chargé d’Affaires that the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be altered by the unilateral position or actions of any party. Pakistan reiterated its longstanding position that the future of Kashmir must be decided in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and relevant UN resolutions.
Pakistan also described the US ambassador’s statement as irresponsible and expressed concern that it was inconsistent with the United States’ longstanding and clearly articulated position on the Kashmir dispute.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan also drew the attention of US officials to the fact that such a statement was inconsistent with the US commitment to the rule of international law and the UN Charter.
Pakistan also emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The Pakistani side welcomed President Donald Trump’s offer of mediation following the “Battle of Truth” and urged the US side to ensure that its public statements reflect the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan reiterated that a just and lasting resolution of the Kashmir dispute is fundamental to peace and stability in the region and that international obligations and relevant UN resolutions cannot be disregarded.
Through the summoning of the US Chargé d’Affaires and the formal demarche, Pakistan once again made clear its position that Jammu and Kashmir is not part of India but an internationally recognized disputed territory, and that its final status should be determined in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
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