India on Friday firmly restated its position on Jammu and Kashmir, making it clear that the matter is strictly bilateral and does not require involvement from outside parties.
The response came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the Kashmir issue during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that New Delhi’s approach has not altered.
“Our stand on the Kashmir issue is very clear, there has been no change in it. As far as mediation is concerned, there too, there is no need for any third party to mediate on the bilateral issues between India and Pakistan,” Jaiswal asserted.
Rejecting Erdogan’s remarks at UNGA, Jaiswal said: “We reject such objectionable comments on matters that are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador. Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable.”
Jaiswal also pointed out that the core problem in Jammu and Kashmir arises from Pakistan’s conduct. “It would have been better if Pakistan’s policy of using cross-border terrorism against India, which remains the biggest threat to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, had been called out,” he added.
The MEA spokesperson also expressed India’s support for comprehensive and lasting settlement for North Cyprus in accordance with the United Nations framework.
“Regarding North Cyprus, our External Affairs Minister met with the Cyprus Foreign Minister, they discussed it. The External Affairs Minister expressed India’s support for comprehensive and lasting settlement in accordance with the agreed UN framework,” he said.
On the sidelines of UNGA in New York, Jaishankar also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two leaders reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen India-US ties and to work together for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific under the Quad framework. Their conversation also touched upon trade, energy, and cooperation on critical minerals.
(With agency inputs)