India Criticises Turkey For Comments On J&K; UN Representative Says 'Learn To Respect Sovereignty Of Other Nations'

Turkey has time and again come out as an ally of Pakistan in bringing the matter of Jammu and Kashmir to international platforms, a move termed unacceptable by India all the time.

(File Photo by Masrat Zahra/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

New Delhi: India has criticised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his comments on Kashmir during United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, by calling his speech a "gross interference" in India's internal affairs which is "completely unacceptable".  Hours after Erdogan spoke about the Kashmir issue in the UNGA, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti, took to Twitter and said that Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its policies more deeply. "We have seen remarks by President of Turkey on Indian UT of Jammu and 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 policies more deeply," Mr. Tirumurti tweeted.

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 sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.

— PR UN Tirumurti (@ambtstirumurti) September 22, 2020

On day two of the high-level UNGA session, the Turkish President said, "The Kashmir conflict, which is also key to the stability and peace of South Asia, is still a burning issue." The president's pre-recorded statement continued with stressing on the resolution of Kashmir issue through dialogue. "We are in favour of solving this issue through dialogue within the framework of the United Nations resolutions, especially in line with the expectations of the people of Kashmir," Erdogan added. Turkey has been visibly coming out as Pakistan's ally as it has used several platforms to raise the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in the past year. However, India, always maintained that the Kashmir issue is an internal matter of India and not up for international interference. Last week as well, India had criticised Pakistan, Turkey and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the 46th session of the Human Rights Council for their comments on India's internal affairs. Responding to reference made by Turkey on Jammu and Kashmir, India in its right to reply had advised Turkey to refrain from commenting on the internal affairs of India and develop a better understanding of democratic practices. WATCH | Hindu Sena protests against Pak trying to make Gilgit-Baltistan a full-fledged province