Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for disputes in South Asia, including Kashmir, to be resolved through dialogue under the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
“In South Asia, it is important that all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the United Nations Charter and of relevant resolutions,” Erdogan said while addressing the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York.
His remarks came in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Erdogan has repeatedly raised Kashmir at international forums despite India’s objections to third party involvement in the issue.
Erdogan Raises Kashmir Again
This is not the first time Erdogan has mentioned Kashmir during his UN General Assembly speeches. He raised the issue prominently in 2019 after India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status under Article 370.
He also referred to Kashmir in his UNGA speeches in 2020 and 2021. In 2025, Erdogan again called for the issue to be resolved through dialogue and on the basis of UN resolutions.
However, he did not mention Jammu and Kashmir in his 2024 UNGA address.
In his 2025 remarks, Erdogan said the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue. India rejected his comments and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and that the issue does not require third party mediation.
India’s Position on Kashmir
New Delhi has consistently opposed international mediation on Kashmir and maintained that outstanding issues with Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully.
India has also referred to the 1972 Shimla Agreement, under which India and Pakistan committed to resolving their differences through peaceful means and bilateral negotiations.
India has previously described Erdogan’s comments on Kashmir as unacceptable and said other countries should respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Turkey Pakistan Ties
Erdogan’s latest remarks come amid closer ties between Turkey and Pakistan.
Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a joint defence agreement in August 2026 aimed at strengthening security cooperation. Erdogan has also expressed support for Pakistan during periods of tension between India and Pakistan.
The latest Kashmir remarks therefore come against the backdrop of both Turkey’s longstanding position on the issue and its growing strategic relationship with Pakistan.
Erdogan Also Speaks on Gaza and UN Reform
Kashmir was one part of Erdogan’s wider UNGA address. He also called for reforms to the UN Security Council and stronger international action over the Gaza conflict.
Erdogan criticised the current structure of the Security Council and called for wider recognition of a Palestinian state. He also urged greater international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
