UNGA 2026: Erdogan Raises Kashmir Issue Again, Calls for Dialogue
United Nations: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again raised the Kashmir issue during his address to world leaders at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22.
Erdogan said disputes in South Asia, including Kashmir, should be addressed through dialogue within the framework of the United Nations Charter and relevant resolutions.
The remarks were made in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and marked another instance of Erdogan referring to Kashmir during his UNGA speeches.
Erdogan’s earlier references to Kashmir
Erdogan has raised Kashmir at the UN on several occasions. He referred to the issue in his 2019 and 2021 UNGA addresses and again mentioned it during the 2025 session.
In 2024, however, he did not mention Jammu and Kashmir in his UNGA speech.
India has consistently objected to such references and rejected third-party involvement in the Kashmir issue. Following Erdogan’s latest remarks, Indian officials reiterated New Delhi’s position that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and that there is no need for third-party mediation.
India has also maintained that issues with Pakistan should be addressed bilaterally, citing the framework of the 1972 Shimla Agreement.
Erdogan’s latest comments came as he also called for reforms to the UN Security Council and discussed the Gaza conflict and recognition of a Palestinian state during his UNGA address.
