Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urges dialogue on Kashmir within the UN Charter and relevant resolutions during the 81st UN General Assembly.
NEW YORK: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly, calling for disputes in South Asia, including Kashmir, to be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the UN Charter and relevant resolutions.
Addressing the general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Erdogan said dialogue remained important for resolving disputes in South Asia. He specifically included Kashmir among the regional issues that should be addressed through negotiations and in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.
Erdogan has repeatedly referred to Kashmir during his UN addresses and has advocated dialogue between Pakistan and India on the dispute. His latest remarks again placed the long-running issue on the agenda during a week of high-level diplomatic activity at the United Nations.
India rejects third-party involvement
India has consistently rejected third-party mediation on Kashmir and maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. New Delhi has also maintained that outstanding issues with Pakistan should be addressed bilaterally.
Erdogan’s position has focused on dialogue and the resolution of disputes within the framework of the United Nations. The latest remarks therefore underscore the differing positions of Türkiye and India over how the Kashmir issue should be addressed.
The 81st UN General Assembly’s general debate began on Sept. 22 and is scheduled to continue through Sept. 26, with an additional sitting on Sept. 28. The high-level gathering has brought world leaders and senior representatives to UN headquarters in New York.
Erdogan also calls for UN reform
Beyond Kashmir, Erdogan used his address to call for reforms to the UN Security Council, criticizing its current structure and the veto power held by its five permanent members. Reuters reported that he argued the existing system does not adequately represent the wider international community.
Erdogan’s broader address focused on international conflicts, global governance and the future of multilateral institutions. The UN also described his speech as part of calls for reform and efforts to restore confidence in the multilateral system.
His renewed reference to Kashmir provides another prominent international platform for the dispute, while India continues to oppose third-party involvement and Türkiye continues to emphasize dialogue under the UN framework.
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