US envoy Sergio Gor visits Ladakh triggering China watch
After triggering a diplomatic firestorm in Srinagar by calling Jammu and Kashmir an ‘important part of India’, the United States Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, landed in Leh on Thursday. His scheduled arrival at Leh was delayed due to bad weather conditions. On his arrival, the US Envoy was escorted under tight security cover to The Grand Dragon Hotel in Leh.
The visit assumes added significance because the Union Territory shares borders with China (Tibet Autonomous Region) and Pakistan.
Beijing authorities are closely monitoring the presence of a US diplomat in the cold desert region after he endorsed India’s longstanding position on Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar on Wednesday.
After a brief halt at the hotel, Gor began his tour by first visiting the Sangam Confluence at Nimmu, a popular tourist destination far away from the stalking media persons. According to reports, the US Envoy also participated in river rafting along the Zanskar-Indus stretch, covering several kilometres from Tsogti.
This is the first visit of any top US diplomat to Ladakh after the region was carved out as a separate union territory in 2019 and a subsequent standoff between the Indian Army and Chinese PLA following clashes at Galwan in June 2020.
The US had strongly backed India and also condemned China’s attempt to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.
During the standoff period, the US helped India with real-time intelligence and high-altitude gear for soldiers as part of a strategic defence partnership between the two countries.
Ahead of Sergio Gor’s visit to Ladakh, speculations were rife in Leh about his meeting with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, currently camping in Leh.
Till late evening, no such meeting took place. Every year, the Dalai Lama travels from Dharamshala to Leh and conducts regular religious discourses and meets followers.
Meanwhile, Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh on Thursday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and briefed him on the progress of key developmental initiatives.
In a post on X, the Office of LG Ladakh posted, “It was indeed an honour to call on Prime Minister @narendramodi and brief him on the progress of key developmental initiatives, infrastructure projects and the implementation of central welfare schemes in UT of Ladakh. Extremely grateful to the PM for his vision, constant guidance and support for the inclusive and sustainable development of Ladakh”.
