Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a two-day Pakistan visit, insisted that India and Pakistan resolve the Kashmir conflict through talks taking into account the hopes of the people of Kashmir. He issued the statement following bilateral talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, wherein the two premiers signed 24 agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding on different fields of trade, agriculture, defense, and health.
The issue of Kashmir must be solved in line with the UN resolution through negotiations and taking into account the wishes of the Kashmir people,” President Erdogan stated. He also reaffirmed Turkey’s solidarity with the people of Kashmir, saying, “Our state and our nation, as before, stands by our Kashmiri brothers today.
Bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have also been strained, especially after the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Nevertheless, Erdogan’s statement is a reflection of Turkey’s unremitting inclination towards trying to resolve the Kashmir issue diplomatically and peacefully.
Apart from talking about the issue of Kashmir, President Erdogan stressed the deepening of relations between Pakistan and Turkey, citing the signing of many agreements during his visit. “In the seventh session of our council, which we have just finished, we have agreed to further deepen our relationship,” he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted President Erdogan as his “second home” and expressed gratitude to Turkey for aid in natural disasters. He valued the fact that the visit provided a fresh boost to the bilateral relationship of the two countries. Turkish President was also received with a guard of honor, fly-past by F-16 fighter jets, and reception by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir.
