A delegation of US diplomats accredited from its embassy in New Delhi paid an official visit to Srinagar to improve people-to-people ties in the valley as informed by US Embassy Spokesperson, Christopher Elms.
“Diplomats from the US Embassy in New Delhi paid an official visit to Srinagar this week,” Elms told ANI. He also added that American diplomats based in New Delhi regularly pay visits to all parts of the country in an effort to expand cooperation with state and local governments and improve people-to-people ties.
However, American diplomats have also visited part of Jammu Kashmir on the other side of LoC in recent past.
Earlier in October, US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome had referred Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as “Azaad Jammu Kashmir.”
He made this comment in an address during his visit to the other side of the border.
The comment evidently elicited an objection from New Delhi.
“Our objections to the visit and meetings in PoK by the US envoy have been conveyed to the US side,” said Arindam Bagchi, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson. However, details of how that objection was conveyed were not revealed.
The Biden administration nominee for US Ambassador to India, Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, has not been confirmed. His nomination awaits confirmation from senate that is delayed due to handling of a case of sexual misconduct in his office.
With mid-term elections slated to happen in November, it is unclear if the issues will be resolved and Garcetti’s nominations is confirmed.
With inputs from ANI
