NEW DELHI — Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leader Omar Abdullah said that the visit of US diplomats to Kashmir was only possible with the approval of the Indian government.
He said that no foreign diplomat or media person can enter Jammu and Kashmir without the permission of the ministries under the government of India.
On being asked about the visit of the US diplomats to Kashmir to meet him, Omar Abdullah in an exclusive interview with ANI, said, “Who allowed them to come? Government of India. No diplomats or the foreign media are able to visit Jammu and Kashmir with the express permission of the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Home, in consultation with agencies here and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The JKNC Vice President further said that his meeting with the US Embassy team was cleared by the Indian government at the highest levels. “Any meeting that I had with the team of the US Embassy was cleared at the highest level by the government of India…”
Elaborating on the talks with the US diplomats, Omar Abdullah said, “We talked about Jammu and Kashmir, about the situation, we talked about the wider Indian context. But that was it.”
Omar Abdullah expressed his surprise at the recent visit of US diplomats and said that during their previous visit, the US diplomats were only able to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha.
He said, “It was surprising for me as well, that they got permission to meet me because the last time they came, they were able to meet only the LG Manoj Sinha and other Delhi-backed parties.”
Notably, US diplomats including Minister-Counsellor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer and First Secretary Gary Applegarth met Omar Abdullah at his Gupkar residence in Srinagar on August 26.
During the meeting, Omar Abdullah emphasised to the diplomats the importance of re-looking at the travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir with a view to easing the restrictions.
He encouraged people from around the world to visit Kashmir and experience its beauty and culture firsthand.
National Conference had also informed about the meeting on its X handle and said Omar Abdullah invited the diplomats to visit Kashmir with their families as a first step to inspire confidence among tourists from the United States and other parts of the world.
“Discussions covered a wide range of issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir and the region in general. Omar Abdullah emphasized to the diplomats the importance of re-looking at the travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir with a view to easing the restrictions. He encouraged people from around the world to visit Kashmir and experience its beauty and culture firsthand. He also invited the diplomats to visit Kashmir with their families as a first step to inspire confidence among tourists from the United States and other parts of the world,” the party had said. — (ANI)