Unacceptable: India Slams Turkey’s Kashmir Remarks

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

• India slammed Turkish President Erdogan’s Kashmir remarks as unacceptable.
• Erdogan spoke about resolving Kashmir issue per UN resolutions during his Pakistan visit.
• India lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador.
• MEA spokesperson reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.
• India raised the issue of Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Nearly a week after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the issue of Kashmir during his visit to Pakistan, New Delhi on Friday said such “unwarranted” statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were “unacceptable,” adding that it has lodged a “strong protest” on the matter with the Turkish ambassador here. This India Turkey dispute is escalating.

MEA Spokesperson’s Statement

“We reject such objectionable comments on matters which are internal to India,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to a query on Erdogan’s remarks. Jaiswal also reiterated India’s position that Jammu and Kashmir “is an integral part of India, it always has been, and it will remain so”. The MEA spokesperson said there should be no doubt or confusion on this.

Issue of Cross-Border Terrorism

“Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. No other country has any locus standi to comment on it. Instead of commenting on internal affairs of another country, it would have been appropriate if Pakistan’s policy of using cross-border terrorism against India, which remains the biggest threat for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, had been called out,” Jaiswal said.

Protest to Turkish Ambassador

“We reject such objectionable comments on matters which are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador in Delhi. Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable,” he added.

Erdogan’s Remarks

During his recent two-day visit to Pakistan last week, Erdogan said, “The Kashmir issue should be addressed according to the UN resolution through dialogue and keeping in mind the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.” The Turkish president said, “Our state and our nation, as in the past, stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers today.”

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• India slammed Turkish President’s Kashmir statement.
• Erdogan made the statement during a Pakistan visit.
• India lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador.
• Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.
• India raised Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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