Erdogan Suggests ‘Multilateral’ Talks on J&K Ahead of Meeting Modi

Turkish President Erdogan is in India for 2-day visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The image has been used for representational purposes. (Photo Courtesy: NarendraModi.in)

Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has suggested a multilateral dialogue to resolve the Kashmir issue – a suggesttion which goes against India’s stand on the issue.

Erdogan, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday evening also said he favours India's bid for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) besides that of Pakistan, saying India should not have objection to it.

In an interview to WION news channel he added:

We should not allow more casualties to occur (in Kashmir). By having a multilateral dialogue, (in which) we can be involved, we can seek ways to settle the issue once and for all

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The Turkish leader said that it is in the interest of India and Pakistan that they should resolve this issue and not leave it for the future generations who will have to suffer.

"All around the world, there is no better option than keeping the channel of dialogue open. If we contribute towards global peace, we can get a very positive result," he said.

Erdogen said India and Pakistan were both friends of Turkey and he wanted to help strengthen the dialogue process among the stakeholders for resolving the Kashmir issue which has been festering for the last 70 years.

Replying to questions on the Kurdish problem in Turkey, he said it could not be compared with the Kashmir issue.

"We have no problem with the Kurdish people. We have a problem with a terrorist organisation," he said.

"It (the Kurdish problem) is a territorial dispute. In Jammu and Kashmir, the situation is different. Let's not make the mistake of comparing them," he said.

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