(Washington, D.C., 08/28/2019) – USCMO and Kashmiri American leaders met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ervin J. Massinga expressing the grave concerns of the American Muslim community for India’s military occupation of Kashmir and repression of its people; and seeking clarification of the United States’ position on the crisis.
USCMO officials submitted a formal letter on the Kashmir crisis for hand delivery to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo. Later, USCMO received response from Secretary Pompeo delivered by Acting Assistant Secretary of State Amb. Alice Wells.
Discussions at the State Department included (1) the humanitarian crisis caused by the government of India; (2) the dire health, hunger, and safety perils of the Kashmiri people; (3) the high regional and global volatility of the situation; and (4) personal testimonials from Kashmiri Americans who have lost contact with their family members visiting relatives in Kashmir at the time of India’s occupation.
In addition, talks focused on the dangerous nuclear ramifications of India’s unilateral military occupation.
Mr. Massinga assured the delegation of the U.S. administration’s close contact with India and Pakistan in order to diffuse tensions and bring both to negotiations regarding the communal status Jammu-Kashmir.
The administration has asked India to uphold its original constitutional mandate with regard to the autonomous status of Kashmir.
The administration pledged to follow up with Kashmiri Americans who have family members stranded in Kashmir and to assist families toward reunion.
Mr. Massinga agreed on behalf of the State Department to keep open lines of communication with USCMO and to provide periodic updates on its efforts in the Kashmir crisis. (Read more here: https://www.dawn.com/news/1504152)
