'Irresponsible statement': Pakistan summons US envoy over Sergio Gor's 'J-K important part of India' remark

Pakistan on Wednesday (August 19) summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker and lodged a 'strong demarche' after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described Jammu and Kashmir as an 'important part of India' during his visit to Srinagar.

Hours after his remarks, Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires in Islamabad and rejected his characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as part of India and called the remarks 'factually incorrect'.

"Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of Jammu and Kashmir as a 'part of India'," the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"It was underscored that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory, awaiting final



disposition in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people," the statement added.

It was further highlighted that the "irresponsible statement" by the US ambassador "negated the long-standing and well-documented position of the United States on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and also ran contrary to the US commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter," it said.

While appreciating President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue in the aftermath of the four-day conflict in May last year, the US side "was urged to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir," the statement added.