Pakistan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States over remarks attributed to US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Foreign Office said on Wednesday that the US Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad was summoned and formally conveyed Pakistan’s concerns over what it described as “factually incorrect” and “irresponsible” comments regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan rejects characterisation of Kashmir as part of India
According to the Foreign Office, Ambassador Sergio Gor referred to IIOJK as an “important part of India” during his visit to the region.
Islamabad strongly rejected this characterisation, maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory whose final status is yet to be determined.
The Foreign Office said the dispute should be resolved in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan also argued that the ambassador’s remarks were inconsistent with what Islamabad described as the United States’ longstanding position on the Kashmir dispute.
The Foreign Office further said such statements were contrary to the principles of international law and the UN Charter.
Islamabad urges US to maintain consistent position
During the diplomatic démarche, Pakistan urged Washington to ensure that statements made by its officials remain consistent with the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Islamabad also referred to US President Donald Trump’s previous offer to mediate between Pakistan and India on the longstanding dispute.
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Trump has repeatedly expressed willingness to assist the two nuclear-armed neighbours in finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. Pakistan has welcomed such offers of mediation while continuing to call for a resolution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The latest diplomatic exchange comes against the backdrop of longstanding tensions between Pakistan and India over Kashmir, a dispute that has remained a major source of friction between the two countries for decades.
Pakistan reiterates calls over post-2019 measures
Pakistan has also continued to criticise India’s actions in IIOJK since August 5, 2019, when New Delhi revoked the region’s special constitutional status and subsequently introduced a series of administrative and legal changes.
Islamabad has called on India to reverse what it describes as unilateral and illegal measures and to repeal laws it considers restrictive.
Pakistan has further demanded greater access for international observers, human rights and humanitarian organisations, as well as the international media, to independently assess conditions in the region.
Dispute remains a major regional issue
The Kashmir dispute has remained unresolved since the partition of British India in 1947 and has contributed to multiple conflicts and prolonged tensions between Pakistan and India.
Pakistan maintains that the Kashmiri people should be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
India, meanwhile, maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and rejects outside mediation on the issue.
The latest Pakistani protest therefore reflects Islamabad’s continued emphasis on the disputed nature of Kashmir and its objection to statements by foreign officials that it believes recognise the territory as part of India.
