MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responds to Turkish President Erdogan’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly. (Images: X)
New Delhi: India has strongly rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks on Jammu and Kashmir during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, stating that no external party has any role in matters related to India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India does not accept any “unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated its long-standing position that the issue is an internal matter concerning the country’s sovereignty.
During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed Erdogan’s comments and said India rejected the references made by the Turkish President regarding Jammu and Kashmir during his UNGA speech.
“This is a matter pertaining to India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and no external party has any locus standi on this issue,” Jaiswal said. India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and has opposed any attempts by third parties to intervene.
Earlier, during his UN General Assembly address on September 22, Erdogan referred to Kashmir while speaking about regional disputes.
He said that issues, including Kashmir, should be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
Turkey has raised the Kashmir issue at international platforms in the past as well, a position that India has repeatedly rejected.
India has maintained that Kashmir-related matters with Pakistan should be addressed through direct bilateral discussions, without involvement from any third country.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, New Delhi reiterated that dialogue with Pakistan on such issues would only take place through a bilateral framework.
Erdogan’s remarks come amid close ties between Turkey and Pakistan on several strategic issues. Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have recently moved towards deeper cooperation through a trilateral framework, which has drawn attention in regional diplomatic discussions.
India has continued to highlight its position on cross-border terrorism and national security while maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir remains an integral part of India.
