Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his platform at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly to once again raise the issue of Kashmir, underlining the importance of fostering a just and enduring peace in the region through dialogue and collaboration between India and Pakistan.
In his address during the General Debate on Tuesday, Erdogan articulated, “Another development that will pave the way for regional peace, stability, and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan.” He further asserted Turkey’s commitment to supporting steps taken in this direction.
This statement from President Erdogan follows his recent meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, where both leaders discussed enhancing trade and infrastructure relations.
Erdogan also commended India for its role within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). He advocated for a reformation of the UNSC, suggesting the inclusion of five permanent members alongside 15 “temporary” members as permanent members of the council in rotation. His proposal aimed to expand representation beyond the current five permanent members, consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia.
In recent years, President Erdogan has consistently referenced the Kashmir issue in his addresses to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly sessions. Last year, he brought up the issue, expressing concern over the absence of lasting peace and solidarity between India and Pakistan since their independence. He expressed hope that a fair and enduring peace, along with prosperity, would be established in Kashmir.
In 2020, Erdogan’s remarks about Jammu and Kashmir in a pre-recorded video statement during the General Debate were met with strong objection from India. India firmly denounced his comments as “completely unacceptable” and called upon Turkey to respect the sovereignty of other nations while reflecting on its own policies more profoundly.
President Erdogan’s continued advocacy for dialogue and peace in Kashmir underscores the importance of the issue in international discussions, while also highlighting the need for constructive engagement between India and Pakistan to address the region’s challenges.
