India ticks off Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his remarks on Kashmir

Ministry of External Affairs urges country to ‘develop proper understanding of facts’

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar | File

India on Saturday urged Turkey to not interfere in its internal affairs and reminded Ankara of the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan. 

“India rejects all references to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

“We call upon the Turkish leadership to not interfere in India’s internal affairs and develop proper understanding of the facts, including the grave threat posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan to India and the region,” he said.

The official’s remarks came a day after visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Islamabad compared the situation in Kashmir with the Gallipoli campaign of the World War II and extended support to Pakistan. He termed India’s recent actions in Kashmir as “unilateral”.

 

Addressing a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament , Mr. Erdogan said, “Today, the issue of Kashmir is as close to us as it is to you [Pakistanis]... Such a solution (on the basis of justice and fairness) will serve the interests of all parties concerned. Turkey will continue to stand by justice, peace and dialogue in the resolution of the Kashmir issue.”

Apart from Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia have been vocal critics of India’s decision to end the special status of Kashmir last year, which led India to place the region in a lockdown that has continued for more than six months.

(With PTI inputs)