Erdogan Urges UN-Led Dialogue to Resolve Kashmir Dispute

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute through dialogue and United Nations resolutions during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Erdogan stated that settling the issue is indispensable for peace in South Asia and urged that all disputes between India and Pakistan be resolved under the UN Charter. Delivering his speech in the presence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and supported Pakistan's diplomatic stance.

The Government of India rejected the call for third-party mediation, maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. New Delhi asserted it will only engage with Islamabad on Kashmir-related issues bilaterally and described Turkey's recurring remarks as completely unacceptable. This diplomatic friction dates back to 2019, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi cancelled a planned visit to Ankara following Erdogan's comments on India's revocation of Article 370.

Erdogan's remarks follow Turkey's August 2026 signing of the Mecca Pact, a military alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. During his address, Erdogan also criticized the United Nations for its inability to fulfill its role in addressing the plight of oppressed nations, including those in Palestine.