U.S. Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday on a two-day visit during which he is scheduled to meet a cross section of people especially youth.
Mr. Roemer first met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu. “In an hour-long meeting they discussed various issues pertaining to the socio-economic and political developments in the State,” an official spokesman said.
“The issues relating to the dialogue process and efforts for restoration of permanent peace and tranquillity in the State were also discussed in the meeting.
“The U.S. Ambassador evinced keen interest in the new initiatives put in place by the Omar-led government for speedy and equitable development in all the regions and sub-regions of the State, and for restoration of permanent peace and political stability in the State,” he said.
A U.S. embassy spokesman in a statement said: “Mr. Roemer is visiting Jammu and Kashmir from 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 Rs. 2.3 million-worth of relief supplies to 400 rural families affected by the flash flood.”
The statement quoted Mr. Roemer outlining the objectives of his visit: “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.”
In Srinagar, he paid homage at the historic Hazratbal shrine. Officials of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority spoke to him of their efforts to revive the environment quality of Dal Lake.
