'Unwarranted & Unacceptable,' Says India, Strongly Protesting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Remark On Kashmir

Mumbai: India has strongly protested Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on Kashmir, calling them "unwarranted" and "unacceptable."

A week after Erdogan's comments during his visit to Pakistan, which reiterated support for Pakistan on Kashmir, New Delhi lodged a formal protest with the Turkish ambassador. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's position on Friday, stating that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that no other country has the right to comment on it.

Turkish President Expresses Solidarity With Pakistan

Erdogan had expressed solidarity with Pakistan, calling for a UN-led dialogue to address the Kashmir dispute, while also praising Pakistan's sacrifices in combating terrorism. His remarks, which marked a departure from his silence on Kashmir for nearly two years, were viewed in New Delhi as interference in India's internal matters.

Jaiswal emphasized that it would have been more appropriate for Erdogan to criticize Pakistan's ongoing policy of cross-border terrorism, which remains a significant threat to the people of J&K. India's response underscores the country's firm stance on its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and the government has made it clear that such foreign comments are not acceptable.