Leh (Ladakh): United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited the historic Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh on Friday during his ongoing visit to the Union Territory.
Located atop a hill in Thiksey, around 19 km from Leh, the monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh and is widely known for its resemblance to Tibet’s Potala Palace.
#WATCH | Leh, Ladakh: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, where he explored the historic monastery and experienced its rich Buddhist heritage and cultural traditions. pic.twitter.com/yncPfwgaUk
— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2026
Thiksey Monastery’s historic significance
Founded in 1433, Thiksey Monastery houses centuries-old images, stupas, scroll paintings and wall paintings. It also features a 15-metre-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, installed in the 1980s.
The monastery is known for its daily morning prayers, which attract visitors seeking to experience its spiritual atmosphere. It also offers panoramic views of surrounding hill villages and the Indus River.
Gor visits Ladakh after J&K engagements
Gor arrived in Leh on Thursday after a series of high-profile engagements across Jammu and Kashmir. His visit marks that of a top US envoy to the strategic frontier region since the 2020 Galwan clashes and the subsequent border standoff with China.
Before travelling to Ladakh, Gor held meetings with key regional stakeholders in the Kashmir Valley.
Upon arriving in Srinagar, the US envoy endorsed New Delhi’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and described the Union Territory as an important part of India.
US-India ties in focus
Gor also met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to the Valley. The meeting marked the first interaction between a serving US ambassador and a sitting Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister in more than 15 years.
The previous such meeting took place in 2011, when then US Ambassador Timothy Roemer met Omar Abdullah.
Gor’s visit comes amid deepening strategic ties between India and the United States. His recent engagements have also included discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on counter-terrorism cooperation.
The visit to Ladakh and his engagements in Jammu and Kashmir highlight the growing diplomatic focus on the region and India-US relations.