Three days after he met Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, US senator John McCain on Tuesday arrived in Srinagar to meet J&K governor NN Vohra, chief minister Omar Abdullah and top army commanders .
Three days after he met Pakistani leaders in Islamabad, US senator John McCain on Tuesday arrived in Srinagar to meet J&K governor NN Vohra, chief minister Omar Abdullah and top army commanders .
The discussions ranged from security to infiltration to terrorism to situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan. MecCaian’s visit comes in the backdrop of arrest of alleged Kashmiri separatist and alleged ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai in America.
MeCain, soon after his arrival met the J&K Governor NN Vohra at Raj Bhavan here. Significantly Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, general officer commanding in chief (GoC-in-C) Northern Command, and Lieutenant General SA Hasnain, GOC, XV Corps, were also present in the meeting.
“During their wide ranging discussions lasting for about two hours, Senator McCain and the Jammu and Kashmir governor exchanged views on various important issues of mutual interest”, said an official spokesman.
The Governor hosted lunch for Senator McCain and other members of the US delegation including Christian Brose, foreign policy adviser; Vance Serchuk foreign policy advisor, HSGAC; and Lt. Lawrence Heyworth, USN, Military Escort.
McCain, who was a Republican presidential candidate against Barack Obama, later met Omar and both leaders discussed infiltration, terrorism and dialogue process.
“I discussed about infiltration, the situation vis a vis terrorism and law and order. We talked about economy of the state about tourists and social indicators and. He talked to me about US involvement in Afghanistan, fallout of the killing of Osama bin Laden, US-Pak relation and also its possible implications”, Omar told DNA .
Chief minister said he told him that the dialogue process was proceeding and they are pretty satisfied in spite of setbacks like the recent Mumbai attacks. “We hope both sides will take this dialogue to logical end and the solution will be found . I also briefed me about the situation”, he added
John McCain is the vice-chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and was the Republican Presidential candidate against US President, Barack Obama in the last US Presidential elections.
John McCain was assisted by his two advisers, Christian Brose and Vance Serchuk and the first secretary (political) Paul Narian in the meeting.
The chief minister was assisted by minister of state for home, Nasir Aslam Wani, political adviser to the chief minister, Devender Singh Rana and principal secretary home, BR Sharma.
McCain, who is the highest dignitory to have visited Kashmir in last two decades of turmoil,however snubbed separatists by not meeting any of them. Separatists played down the incident saying it will not have any bearing on the Kashmir issue
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