Once again, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned the Kashmir dispute in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. At the headquarters of the UN, speaking alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan said that it is necessary to settle disputes in South Asia through bilateral negotiations and the UN Charter.
Besides mentioning the Kashmir problem, Erdogan, in his comprehensive speech, mentioned several global hot spots and institutional reforms.
Focus on Gaza and Palestine: Emphasising the continued absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Erdogan harshly criticized the Israeli military offensive and called for re-recognizing the statehood of Palestine.
Global reforms and Cyprus: Erdogan advocated comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council and called for ending the international isolation of Turkish Cypriots.
“The Kashmir issue”: “It is important that all disputes in South Asia, including the Kashmir issue, be settled by dialogue, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and the related resolutions,” Erdogan said.
A history of diplomatic friction with New Delhi
Erdogan’s latest comments continue a long-running pattern of diplomatic friction between Ankara and New Delhi regarding the internal affairs of Jammu and Kashmir.
The 2019 turning point: Tensions peaked in September 2019 following India’s abrogation of Article 370, when Erdogan criticized the security lockdown at the 74th UNGA—prompting swift pushback, cancelled high-level state visits, and scaled-back defense ties from India.
Consistent objections: Despite recurring remarks in subsequent years—including references to a 74-year conflict in 2021 and calls for ceasefire adherence in 2025—India has maintained its steadfast position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral, internal matter, warning that internationalizing bilateral disputes violates diplomatic norms.
