India removes barricades, bollards outside Pakistan High Commission in Delhi

Authorities removed traffic bollards and barricades outside the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Thursday, a day after Islamabad protested remarks on Kashmir by a US diplomat.

The structures, including queue barriers near the mission’s visa section, were reportedly placed outside the compound’s designated perimeter along a lane and were later removed by authorities.

Visuals showed damaged barricades and security personnel near broken sections of the wall outside the Pakistan High Commission.

However, there is no official confirmation that the removal was connected to Pakistan’s diplomatic protest over the US envoy’s comments on Kashmir. Authorities have not publicly explained why the structures were taken down.

Pakistan summons US diplomat over Kashmir remarks

Pakistan reacted strongly to comments by US envoy Sergio Gor, summoning US Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker in Islamabad.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said it had delivered a “strong demarche” over Gor’s visit and his remarks concerning the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

The ministry described the comments as “factually incorrect” and said it “strongly condemned and categorically rejected” the description of Jammu and Kashmir as a “part of India”.

Islamabad also said the remarks were inconsistent with what it described as the United States’ long-standing position on Kashmir.

Washington has maintained that India and Pakistan should resolve their differences through bilateral dialogue, while New Delhi has consistently rejected third-party mediation on Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah meets US envoy

Gor’s visit to Kashmir was his first to the region in six years. His comments came amid calls from Kashmiri politicians for Washington to reconsider its highest-level travel advisory for the region.

Opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti had urged Gor to withdraw the advisory, arguing that it was affecting thousands of families dependent on tourism.

After meeting Gor, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said discussions covered India-US relations, with particular focus on what Washington could do regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

“We had an opportunity to discuss the relations between our two countries, but with specific focus on what the US can do with Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said.

He added that there were “certain legacy issues” that would be addressed over time and said he looked forward to continuing the discussions.