Turkish President Erdogan said that India's announcement on the status of Jammu and Kashmir was in clear violation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.He stressed that it would deteriorate the peace and security of the region, and further undermine relations between the two neighbors.
Erdogan assured Premier Imran Khan that Turkey, with regard to Kashmir, would continue supporting Pakistan, according to a statement.
Turkey expressed concern Monday that India's unilateral decision to revoke Article 370 of the Constitution which grants a special status to the disputed Kashmir region is likely to increase tensions.
"We are concerned that the annulment of Article 370 of the Constitution of India on 5 August 2019 which accords a special status to Jammu-Kashmir could further increase existing tensions," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Turkey is ready to contribute to efforts to reduce tensions in the region if the parties agree, the statement stressed.
"We sincerely hope for the resolution of the problem through dialogue and within the framework of the relevant UN resolutions by observing the legitimate interests of all people of Jammu-Kashmir as well as Pakistan and India," it added.
The Turkish Anadolu News Agency recalled that since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought wars in 1948, 1965 and 1971, two of them over Kashmir. "Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence or for unification with neighboring Pakistan. According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989".
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