Sergio Gor Visits Manipur, Meets CM And Governor, Tours Loktak Lake

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Manipur on Friday, touring major landmarks in Imphal, meeting Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, and later travelling to Loktak Lake as part of his two day visit.

Gor began his Manipur visit by touring the historic Kangla Fort, the ancient political and cultural centre of the erstwhile Manipur kingdom. He also visited Khwairamband Ema Keithel, the iconic all women run market in the heart of Imphal. He was accompanied by US Consul General in Kolkata Kathy Giles Diaz.

The ambassador later met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh at the CM Secretariat in Mantripukhri. Gor said he enjoyed hearing about the Chief Minister’s vision for Manipur and that they exchanged ideas on how India and the US could work together to expand economic ties. He also invited Gor to return for the Manipur Sangai Festival.

The Chief Minister said the two sides discussed relations between the US and Manipur and expressed confidence that the engagement would strengthen in the coming years. He also highlighted tourism and allied sectors as areas with development potential.

During the meeting, Gor described Manipur as a “stunning place” and praised its natural beauty. He enquired about tourist arrivals in the state and welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on the development of Northeast India.

Gor also met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The envoy said they discussed the importance of continued US India engagement.

Following his Imphal engagements, Gor travelled to Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district, where he enjoyed a boat ride. Reports said he was scheduled to stay overnight near the lake, adding a tourism focused element to his Manipur visit.

The visit comes as Manipur continues its return towards normalcy after prolonged ethnic clashes that caused deaths, displacement and disruption and led to a period of President’s Rule. The latest visit has also brought attention to the state’s tourism potential and cultural heritage.

Gor’s Manipur trip followed his visit to Darjeeling on Thursday at the invitation of Rajya Sabha MP and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla. He visited the historic Makaibari Tea Estate, explored local attractions and experienced the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

The Manipur visit coincided with the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, although there is no indication that Gor’s Northeast tour was connected to the summit.