U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor arrives on his maiden visit to Ladakh, in Leh on Thursday (August 20, 2026).
| Photo Credit: ANI
U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, on his maiden tour of Ladakh, undertook a river-rafting activity on Thursday (August 20, 2026) at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers at Sangam, officials said in Leh.
His Ladakh itinerary focused on experiencing the Union Territory’s distinctive landscape and rich cultural heritage.
The U.S. envoy arrived in Srinagar earlier on Wednesday (August 19) and called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his residence. During a joint media briefing, the U.S. envoy described Jammu and Kashmir as an important part of India and praised the region for its natural beauty.
Mr. Gor also said that the U.S. would reconsider its travel advisories concerning Jammu and Kashmir in view of measures taken by the central government and the Omar Abdullah-led administration to improve the security situation and make the region safer for visitors.
Upon arriving at the Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, Mr. Gor participated in a river-rafting activity covering several kilometres from Tsogti to Sangam, offering him an opportunity to experience one of Ladakh’s prominent adventure-tourism attractions.
The trip marks Mr. Gor’s first tour of Ladakh since assuming office as U.S. Ambassador to India, providing an opportunity to experience the region beyond official engagements.
The ambassador’s visit comes amid growing international interest in the region’s tourism potential.
According to administration officials, Ladakh’s tourism sector has witnessed a strong upward trajectory, with tourist arrivals crossing the one-lakh mark for two successive months in June and July.
The Union Territory recorded 3,30,332 tourist arrivals from January to July this year, reaching 98.35% of the total 3,35,872 tourists recorded during the entire calendar year in 2025.
More than 2.12 lakh tourists visited Ladakh in June and July alone, accounting for nearly 65% of total arrivals through the first week of August. The increase was even more pronounced among international travellers, whose arrivals more than doubled.
Published – August 20, 2026 07:14 pm IST
