Turkey's Erdogan refers to Kashmir 'issue' again, urges UN-backed solution for the best of ‘our sisters and brothers’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a United Nations-backed resolution on Kashmir, urging India and Pakistan to resolve the ‘long-standing territorial dispute through dialogue’.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Erdogan said, “The issue of Kashmir should be resolved on the basis of the resolutions of the UN, for the best of our sisters and brothers in Kashmir, through dialogue, we hope.”

What did Erdogan say about India-Pakistan tensions?

Addressing the assembly, Recep Tayyip Erdogan also referenced the recent escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, which followed a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that claimed the lives of 26 men.

“We are pleased with the ceasefire achieved following the tensions last April between Pakistan and India, which had escalated into a conflict,” he stated, emphasising the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region.

"In South Asia, we consider the preservation of peace and stability to be of utmost importance. We are pleased with the ceasefire achieved following the tensions last April between Pakistan and India, the tension which had escalated into a conflict," Erdogan said in his address at the General Debate at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

Why is Erdogan’s statement significant?

Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks highlight Turkey’s ongoing diplomatic interest in the Kashmir issue, a historic flashpoint between India and Pakistan. While his speech focused on a UN-led resolution, Erdogan has previously been accused of supporting Pakistan during the conflict, including public endorsement of Pakistan’s position, calling it a “brother nation,” and allegedly supplying Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones and military operatives to assist Pakistan.

Reports suggest that two Turkish operatives were killed during operations flown by Pakistan, intensifying the controversy surrounding Turkey’s involvement during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

These allegations, coupled with Turkish president Erdogan’s public stance, sparked a boycott movement in India targeting Turkish goods and tourism.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in territories controlled by Pakistan, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding after telephonic conversation between the DGMO of both countries on stopping the military actions on May 10.