SRINAGAR, Aug 19: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he was “very hopeful and optimistic” that engagement between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir would widen and deepen in the years ahead, while referring to certain “legacy issues” that he said would be addressed over time.
Omar made the remarks after meeting US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor at his residence in Gupkar, Srinagar. The Chief Minister said the discussions covered India-US relations, with a specific focus on what Washington could do for Jammu and Kashmir.
“It was, as Ambassador Gor has said, a very good meeting. We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the U.S. can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar told reporters.
More Read
Without elaborating on the nature of the issues, the Chief Minister said there were “certain legacy issues” that would require time and continued engagement to resolve.
“There are obviously certain legacy issues that over time we will be working to resolve, but we look forward to taking this conversation further,” he said.
Omar’s reference to “legacy issues” was not accompanied by a detailed explanation of what specific matters he was referring to. The remarks, however, suggest that the engagement could extend beyond immediate bilateral cooperation and include longstanding concerns linked to Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister said the dialogue would involve multiple levels, including communication between the US ambassador and Washington and discussions between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Centre in New Delhi.
“This is a conversation that will take place both between Ambassador Gor and Washington and between me and the Government of India in New Delhi,” he said.
Omar expressed confidence that the engagement would continue in the coming years, describing himself as “very hopeful and optimistic” about the prospects for a wider and deeper relationship between the United States and Jammu and Kashmir.
