The reference to J.K. at the UN isn’t helpful: India after the remarks of the Turkish president
According to India, any reference to Jammu and Kashmir at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is not useful or helpful since the issue needs to be resolved bilaterally according to Shimla Agreement.
During Wednesday’s UNGA in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated: “India and Pakistan, after establishing their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, have yet to establish peace and solidarity between themselves.” It is unfortunate that this has happened. “We pray and hope that Kashmir will be a place of peace and prosperity for years to come.” Arindam Bagchi, External Affairs Ministry spokesman, replied to questions about the Turkish President’s remarks at the UNGA, saying, “I do not think mentioning Jammu and Kashmir at UNGA is useful or helpful.”
Erdogan said during the general debate at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in 2019 that Kashmir is still under siege and eight million people are stuck there despite the resolutions adopted (by the UNSC). Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Turkish President held a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Samarkand.
“Our position on Jammu and Kashmir is very clear. In addition to the Shimla Agreement, this issue needs to be resolved bilaterally and in an atmosphere free of terrorism. “Referring to Kashmir at UNGA is neither useful nor helpful,” Bagchi said.
