Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has stated that the United States should not be taken seriously, asserting that American interventions have historically led to widespread destruction globally. Her remarks followed a visit to Srinagar by US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor.
During a joint press briefing with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday, Ambassador Gor had characterized Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India and an exceptionally beautiful region. He also indicated that the US would review its travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir, acknowledging the steps taken by the Central government and Chief Minister Abdullah to enhance safety in the area.
Responding to reporters’ questions about Ambassador Gor’s comments on Jammu and Kashmir being an integral part of India, Mehbooba Mufti expressed her view that the US should not be afforded significant consideration. “We have seen that the US has caused destruction everywhere it intervened — from Vietnam to Iran,” she stated, as reported by The Tribune India. She further added, “They are not our masters that they will give us a certificate and then only there would be a dialogue.” The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir suggested that while the US was once a superpower, its global influence has been diminishing due to its involvement in various international conflicts. “Day by day, due to its role and the destruction it has caused worldwide, it is going down economically and politically. So, we should not take it so seriously,” Mufti commented.
Mehbooba Mufti also noted that visits by US ambassadors to Jammu and Kashmir were not unprecedented. However, she drew a distinction between past visits and those occurring after 2019, when the Indian government revoked the region’s special status. “Before 2019, any ambassador who came here used to meet people from every section of society like people from tourism, trade, travel and even those who hold other opinions. Then they would go back with their own opinion,” she recalled. She contended that following the constitutional changes in 2019, “all these tours by foreign dignitaries are curated.” According to Mufti, these curated tours involve meetings solely with the Chief Minister and the Governor, followed by a brief excursion, such as a Shikara ride, before departure.
The PDP president indicated her agreement with Chief Minister Abdullah’s assertion that solutions to the issues in Jammu and Kashmir would originate from the Central government in New Delhi, not from the United States. “The solutions to the issues of Jammu and Kashmir cannot come from the US; New Delhi will have to resolve them,” Mufti stated. However, she expressed disappointment that Chief Minister Abdullah had not used the opportunity to convey the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to the visiting US ambassador. “I was hoping Omar would at least tell the visiting US ambassador about the concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. Mufti elaborated that Abdullah should have voiced displeasure regarding the actions of the US and Israel in Iran, specifically mentioning the reported casualties and the bombing campaigns. She suggested that Abdullah should have highlighted how the US’s alleged pattern of inciting unrest and launching unprovoked attacks in Muslim countries has repercussions for Jammu and Kashmir.
Mufti also criticized the Chief Minister for his perceived silence on the challenges faced by the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, alleging a “suffocating atmosphere” in the region where individuals feel inhibited from speaking openly or expressing themselves freely. “Omar could have spoken about these issues; he didn’t need to talk to Washington for this,” she remarked. She drew a parallel to the reconciliation efforts initiated by PDP founder and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed during the government of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which led to dialogues across various societal segments, discussions with Pakistan, and the reopening of cross-border routes. Mufti suggested that if Chief Minister Abdullah was unable to achieve more, he could at least advocate for the reopening of the Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot routes, where trade has reportedly ceased. She urged Abdullah to persuade New Delhi to address the ongoing issues and the “everyday hardships” experienced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Furthermore, Mehbooba Mufti alleged that Chief Minister Abdullah had diminished the stature of his office. She claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had reduced the Chief Minister’s role from that of a “headmaster” to a mere “master.” Mufti added that Abdullah’s approach, including issuing statements in advance about his discussion agenda with the ambassador, further undermined his position. She also expressed hope that the US ambassador’s mention of reviewing travel advisories for Jammu and Kashmir would lead to positive outcomes. Mufti welcomed the ambassador’s interest in increased economic engagement with the region, stating, “I hope this means investing in our local horticulture and handicrafts to create jobs and tangible economic benefits; that is an avenue that needs to be explored.”
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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