Omar Abdullah Meets US Diplomats in Kashmir with Indian Government’s Approval
Omar Abdullah, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), stated that the visit of US diplomats to Kashmir was only possible with the approval of the Indian government. He emphasized that no foreign diplomat or media person can enter Jammu and Kashmir without the permission of the Indian ministries.
In an interview, Omar Abdullah 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.”
He further mentioned 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,” he added.
During their talks, they discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the wider Indian context. Omar Abdullah expressed his surprise at the recent visit, noting that during their previous visit, the US diplomats were only able to meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha.
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. Abdullah emphasized the importance of re-looking at travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir to ease restrictions and encouraged people from around the world to visit and experience its beauty and culture firsthand.
The National Conference also informed about the meeting on its X handle, stating that Omar Abdullah invited the diplomats to visit Kashmir with their families to inspire confidence among tourists from the United States and other parts of the world.
Doubts Revealed
Omar Abdullah -: Omar Abdullah is a politician in India. He is the leader of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, a political party in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.
US Diplomats -: US Diplomats are officials from the United States who work in other countries to represent their government and discuss important matters.
Kashmir -: Kashmir is a region in the northern part of India. It is known for its beautiful mountains and lakes, but it has also had some conflicts.
Indian Government’s Approval -: This means that the Indian government gave permission for the US diplomats to visit Kashmir. Without this approval, they would not be allowed to enter the region.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference -: This is a political party in the region of Jammu and Kashmir. They work on issues and policies important to the people living there.
Foreign Diplomat -: A foreign diplomat is someone from another country who comes to India to talk about important issues and represent their own country.
Indian Ministries -: These are different departments in the Indian government that handle various tasks, like foreign affairs, defense, and tourism.
Travel Advisories -: Travel advisories are warnings or advice given by a government about traveling to certain places. They help people know if it is safe to visit.
Tourism -: Tourism is when people travel to different places for fun, to see new things, and learn about different cultures. It can help the local economy by bringing in money.
