Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 19
People’s Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday urged US Ambassador Sergio Gor to withdraw Washington’s highest-level travel advisory for Kashmir, arguing that the warning was hurting an industry on which thousands of families depend.
Gor arrived in Srinagar earlier in the day for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, his first standalone trip to the region as a serving US ambassador.
In a post on X, Mufti called on Gor to review the advisory and remove it.
“The least the US Ambassador Sergio Gor can do is review and withdraw the highest-level travel advisory against visiting Kashmir,” she said.
Mufti, a former chief minister, said the warning had consequences beyond its formal classification as a security advisory because of the importance of tourism to the local economy.
“A travel advisory was not merely a warning but a wall between Kashmir and the world,” she said.
Mufti argued that withdrawing it would send a signal of confidence to potential international visitors and provide relief to families whose incomes depend on tourism.
“Lifting it would send a powerful message of confidence, help bring back international tourists and give much-needed relief to countless families whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” she said.
Her appeal came hours after Gor himself indicated that Washington would review its travel recommendation.
The US currently maintains a Level 4 “do not travel” warning for J&K, apart from eastern Ladakh and Leh, citing terrorism and civil unrest.
Gor said the US periodically reassesses its travel warnings and that the recommendation for J&K would be examined, although he made clear that no immediate decision had been taken.
The advisory has been a longstanding issue for the region’s tourism-dependent economy, particularly as the administration seeks to increase international arrivals.
Gor’s comments suggested that the question was under active consideration in Washington, but any formal change would require the normal US government review process.
Mufti’s intervention added a political dimension to the debate, with the PDP chief framing the advisory as an economic barrier rather than solely a security measure.
The US ambassador’s visit, meanwhile, has placed J&K’s security environment, tourism prospects, and engagement with Washington under renewed scrutiny.
