Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the Kashmir issue during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, expressing Turkey’s support for Pakistan and advocating for dialogue based on UN resolutions.
New York, September 24 (ANI) — At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again brought attention to the Kashmir issue, expressing Turkey’s satisfaction with the ceasefire established between India and Pakistan in May.
Erdogan stated, “We are pleased with the ceasefire achieved following the tensions last April between Pakistan and India, which had escalated into a conflict. The issue of Kashmir should be resolved on the basis of the resolutions of the UN, for the best of our sisters and brothers in Kashmir, through dialogue, we hope.”
This is not the first time Erdogan has voiced support for Pakistan regarding Kashmir. During a previous visit to Islamabad, he called for UN-mediated dialogue to address the longstanding issue, a stance that has drawn criticism from the Indian government.
Following Erdogan’s earlier comments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a strong protest to the Turkish ambassador. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, “We reject such objectionable comments on matters that are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador. Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable.”
Jaiswal further asserted that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, highlighting that Pakistan’s policy of cross-border terrorism poses a significant threat to the region’s stability. “It would have been better if Pakistan’s policy of using cross-border terrorism against India, which remains the biggest threat to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, has been called out,” he added.
Turkey has previously supported Pakistan during India’s anti-terror operations, notably using Turkish-made drones in military actions against Indian installations following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror operations in Pakistan.
In a related development, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening India-U.S. relations and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Their discussions, held on the sidelines of the UNGA High-level Week in New York, underscored the strategic importance of their bilateral relationship and a shared vision for regional stability.
Rubio expressed gratitude to India for its ongoing involvement in various sectors, including trade, energy, and critical minerals, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation in Kashmir, Erdogan’s remarks at the UNGA highlight the complexities of regional geopolitics and the differing perspectives on the issue.
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