Srinagar, Aug 20: PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said there was no need to take the United States “so seriously”, arguing that its interventions around the world had largely resulted in destruction.
Her remarks came a day after US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Srinagar and said Jammu and Kashmir was an important part of India. He also indicated that the US could reconsider its travel advisory for J&K.
“There is no need to take the US so seriously. We have seen that the US has caused destruction everywhere it intervened — from Vietnam to Iran,” Mehbooba told reporters.
She said the US was not in a position to “give us a certificate” before dialogue could take place, adding that the country's global influence had declined because of its interventions abroad.
On Gor's visit to J&K, the former chief minister said foreign diplomats had earlier met people from different sections of society, including representatives of tourism, trade and travel. She alleged that such visits had become more “curated” since 2019.
Mehbooba agreed with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's view that a solution to Jammu and Kashmir's issues would have to come from New Delhi rather than Washington. However, she criticised Abdullah for not raising what she described as the concerns and hardships faced by people in the region.
She also urged the Centre to address issues concerning J&K and called for the reopening of the Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot routes to revive trade.
On the US travel advisory, Mehbooba said she hoped it would be reviewed and suggested that greater American economic engagement should focus on local horticulture, handicrafts and job creation.
