Indo-US Relations: On Thursday, India reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir as a whole is a “integral part of India” and expressed its disapproval of US envoy to Pakistan David Blome’s visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir should be considered an essential part of India, according to our position, which is well-established, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated during the weekly media briefing. We kindly request that the international community uphold our territorial integrity and sovereignty.
India Voices Disapproval of US Ambassador’s Visit to Gilgit-Baltistan
Arindam Bagchi said, “We have conveyed our concerns about the visit of the US ambassador to Pakistan to the US authorities.” Donald Blome travelled to Gilgit-Baltistan, which India believes to be a part of unreconciled Jammu and Kashmir, on a multi-day private trip in late September. He went to a variety of recreation areas and UNDP-run projects that were still in progress. Blome also met with Rani Sanam Faryad and Sadia Danish, the deputy speaker and vice speaker, respectively, of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
US Ambassador’s Previous Visits to PoK
The US representative has previously visited PoK. Blome met with Tanveer Ilyas, the Prime Minister named by Pakistan, in Muzaffarabad in October 2022. In his remarks after laying a wreath in memory of the earthquake victims from 2005, he said that “during the 75 years of our partnership, the United States has always stood by Pakistan, particularly when it’s needed most.” The US and its allies have repeatedly faced opposition from India over their recognition of that country’s sovereignty over undivided Jammu and Kashmir.
US Ambassador’s Remarks on Kashmir Trip Evaluated by India
However, when questioned about the US ambassador to India, Ambassador Eric Garcetti compared the American delegation’s trip to Kashmir for the G20 summit to the US ambassador David Blome’s trip to Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Reacting to this, MEA spokesperson said, “Regarding Ambassador Garcetti’s remarks, we do not believe it questions our position.”
Ambassador Garcetti’s Remarks on Kashmir
“It is not my job to react,” Ambassador Garcetti stated when speaking to the media on September 26 at a gathering hosted by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce. “The US ambassador has previously travelled there. You also have our G20 delegation travelling to Kashmir, he said.” He emphasised that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral problem between India and Pakistan and needs to be resolved bilaterally while restating the US view on the matter. “This is an issue that must be resolved between India and Pakistan and not by a third party, including the US,” he said.
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