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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
SRINAGAR: A team of American diplomats engaged with National Conference Vice President and ex-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on Sunday, marking a noteworthy event as Jammu & Kashmir readies for its first Assembly polls in ten years.
US diplomats called on National Conference Vice President @OmarAbdullah at his Gupkar residence today. The delegation included Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram.
The meeting was also attended… pic.twitter.com/796WoWOLBp
— JKNC (@JKNC_) August 26, 2024
“US officials visited National Conference leader @OmarAbdullah at his Gupkar residence today. The delegation comprised Political Affairs Minister-Counselor Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram,” the NC posted on X.
Although US representatives, including Mayer, had a meeting with L-G Manoj Sinha last August, and some J&K politicians and activists joined an iftar hosted by the US embassy in Delhi earlier this year, Monday’s encounter was possibly the first with a regional politician in the Valley since Article 370 was repealed in August 2019 and the former state subsequently split and downgraded to a Union Territory.
Foreign diplomats require special permissions from the Indian government to visit J&K, which are approved through the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs generally coordinate with intelligence agencies and the state administration before permitting foreign envoys to enter J&K.
Received US diplomats at Gupkar who called on National Conference Vice President @OmarAbdullah. The delegation included Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, First Secretary Gary Applegarth, and Political Counselor Abhiram.
Member of Parliament and senior leader… pic.twitter.com/Kzu4iUoS5W
— Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) August 26, 2024
“Discussions spanned various issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir and the broader region,” the NC said, adding that the session also included party MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi and chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq.
During the discussions, Abdullah stressed the need to reassess travel advisories for J&K to ease restrictions, the party stated. He encouraged global visitors to experience Kashmir’s beauty and culture firsthand. He also invited the diplomats to visit Kashmir with their families as an initial step to inspire confidence among tourists from the US and other nations, the statement added.
The US diplomatic delegation led by Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Graham Mayer, along with First Secretary Gary Applegarth and Political Counselor Abhiram Ghadyalpatil, also met President Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference Sajad Gani Lone at his residence on Monday morning. According to a party spokesperson “A wide range of issues were discussed during the meeting.”
Last year, G20 country diplomats, including those from the US, visited Srinagar for a G20 tourism group meeting.
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In a July travel advisory, the US government advised its citizens to exercise heightened caution in India due to crime and terrorism. “Certain areas pose an increased risk. Avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir (except eastern Ladakh and Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest,” the advisory warned.
Speaking to The New Indian, a senior journalist from Kashmir, Sheikh Qayoom remarked, “The recent visit by US diplomats has sparked debate. They were allowed to come to Kashmir just as elections were announced and are proceeding smoothly with all parties actively campaigning.”
He said, “The timing of their visit lends credibility to rumours, possibly spread by separatists and adversaries, that these elections are being held under duress.” Sheikh added, “India is a democracy far larger than the US and doesn’t require any ‘elder brother’ role in its democratic process, but this visit at this moment does not align well with the broader vision of India.”
