In a significant development at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the longstanding issue of Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan for establishing lasting peace in the region. This statement comes shortly after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, where discussions centered around bolstering trade and infrastructure ties.
During his UNGA address on September 19, President Erdogan stated, “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 pledged Turkey’s continued support for initiatives aimed at achieving this objective.
President Erdogan also lauded India’s role in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and expressed his support for expanding the UNSC’s composition. He proposed that 20 nations, consisting of five permanent and 15 rotating members, should hold permanent seats on the UNSC. This suggestion underlines his belief that the world should not be limited to the five existing permanent members (U.S., U.K., France, China, and Russia) and that a more inclusive approach is needed.
It is noteworthy that President Erdogan has previously raised the issue of Kashmir during his UNGA addresses. In 2021, he touched upon the Kashmir dispute, expressing his hope for the establishment of “fair and permanent peace and prosperity” in the region. In 2020, Erdogan’s pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate included a reference to Jammu and Kashmir, which led to India’s criticism, labeling it as “completely unacceptable” and urging Turkey to respect the sovereignty of other nations.
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Source: The Hindu
