India rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s comments that Kashmir is a “burning issue” for the stability of South Asia, saying that these remarks were “gross interference” in India’s internal affairs.
This wasn’t the first time that the Turkish President did so. Erdoğan has repeatedly raised the matter after the Indian government scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August last year, and India has pushed back on each occasion.
In a video message to the Un special session, Erdoğan said that “The Kashmir conflict, which is also key to the stability and peace of South Asia, is still a burning issue. Steps were taken following the abolition of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir further complicated the problem.
To this TS Tirumurti, India’s permanent representative to the UN, tweeted saying “We have seen remarks by President of Turkey on Indian UT of Jammu & Kashmir. They constitute gross interference in India’s internal affairs and are completely unacceptable. Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.”
Erdoğan’s remarks were welcomed by his ally from Pakistan, PM Imran Khan who tweeted: “Deeply appreciate President Erdoğan once again raising his voice in support of the rights of the Kashmiri people during his address to UNGA.”
Just last week, India slammed Pakistan, Turkey, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council over their comments on India’s internal matters.
India had back then advised Turkey to refrain from commenting on the internal matters of New Delhi and develop a better understanding of democratic practices.