Erdogan Raises Kashmir Issue At UNGA, Says Dispute Should Be Addressed Through Dialogue

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, saying disputes in South Asia should be resolved through dialogue and within the framework of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.

“In South Asia, it is important that all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the United Nations Charter and of relevant resolutions,” Erdogan said.

This is not the first time Erdogan has referred to Kashmir during his UNGA address. In September last year, he had also called for the issue to be resolved through dialogue.

“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,” Erdogan had said.

India had strongly rejected the remarks, maintaining that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter between India and Pakistan and does not require third-party intervention.

“Our stand on the Kashmir issue is very clear, there has been no change in it. As far as mediation is concerned, there too, there is no need for any third party to mediate on the bilateral issues between India and Pakistan,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.

However, Erdogan did not mention Jammu and Kashmir in his UNGA speech in 2024.

Erdogan Raised Kashmir During Pakistan Visit

Erdogan also raised the Kashmir issue during his visit to Pakistan in February 2025.

Speaking at a media interaction in Islamabad on February 13, 2025, he said the issue should be resolved through dialogue between India and Pakistan.

“The Kashmir issue should be addressed according to the UN resolution through dialogue and keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” Erdogan had said.

He added that Turkey would continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

India subsequently rejected Erdogan’s remarks and lodged a protest with the Turkish ambassador in New Delhi.

“We reject such objectionable comments on matters which are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador in Delhi,” Jaiswal had said.

“Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable. Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. No other country has any locus standi to comment on it,” he added.