Pakistan Summons US Diplomat Over Kashmir Remarks

Pakistan summoned the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Islamabad on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and lodged a strong diplomatic protest over remarks made by U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The protest came hours after Gor, while in Srinagar, described the region as "an important part of India."

Gor, who also serves as the Trump administration's Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, made the comments during his first visit to the Union Territory since taking his post. He met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and took a shikara ride on Dal Lake. Speaking to reporters, Gor stated, "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." He added that the meeting with Abdullah was "very good" and "very cordial," with follow-up discussions planned in Washington and New Delhi.

During the same visit, Gor indicated that the United States would review its travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, which currently carries a Level 4 "do not travel" warning. He cited "incredible steps" taken by the central government and...