US Senator McCain visits Valley; meets Omar

US Senator John McCain met Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah immediately after his arrival in Srinagar on a two day visit.

An official handout issued in Srinagar on Tuesday evening said during McCain's meeting with the chief minister matters relating to the 'socio-economic development and protection of environment were discussed.'

McCain, who is the vice chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee and was the Republican candidate against Barack Obama during the last US presidential election was assisted by his two advisors, Christian Brose and Vance Serchuk, and the first secretary (Political) Paul Narian in the meeting. 

The chief minister was assisted by minister of state for home Nasir Aslam Wani, political advisor to the chief minister Devender Singh Rana and principal secretary home B R Sharma.

McCain also met the state governor and exchanged views on various important issues of mutual interest.

Lt Gen K T Parnaik, northern army commander, and Lt Gen S A Hasnain, corps commander, XV Corps, were present on the occasion.

Image: CM Abdullah tweeted this picture of him with John McCain on Tuesday evening