U.S. Ambassador engages with Kashmiris in Jammu and Kashmir

March 17, 2011 | Srinagar

U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer is visiting Jammu and Kashmir March 17-18 to engage and listen to the people and connect with the youth of the state. This is his second visit to Jammu and Kashmir within six months. In September, Ambassador Roemer visited Leh to deliver 2.3 million rupees worth of relief supplies to 400 rural families affected by the flash flood.

During his visit, the Ambassador is interacting with a cross-section of leaders, students, and youth who are the future of the state. "I want to engage with the people of Jammu and Kashmir just as I do with the people everywhere else in India. The youth are the leaders of tomorrow who will shape the destiny of the state. I want to talk to them about their hopes and their aspirations for themselves and their community. I do this everywhere I travel - it is part of my job to talk and listen to people from all walks of life in all regions of the country. I talk to people from all backgrounds and ethnic groups, to better understand the environment I work in and to better perform my job as America's Ambassador to India," Ambassador Roemer said.

Today, the Ambassador met with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in Jammu. After the meeting the Ambassador flew to Srinagar, where he paid his respects at the historic Hazratbal Mosque. He also met with officials of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority, who briefed him on their efforts to revive the environment quality of Dal Lake.

Tomorrow, Ambassador Roemer will interact with students at a local Srinagar school. As President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have said, education is an essential part of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and India. The cumulative experiences of those Indians and Americans who have had the opportunity to study in the others' country are facilitating this partnership today in every field.