India slams Turkey, Malaysia for raising Kashmir issue at United Nations

India on Friday slammed statements made by Turkey and Malaysia at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last week on Jammu and Kashmir. While regretting the developments, New Delhi said, the statements by Ankara and Kuala Lumpur are not based on facts.

Responding to a WION's question during weekly MEA presser on Turkey said, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "Deeply regret that since 6th of August there have been repeated statements by the Turkish government on a matter which is completely internal to India. These statements are factually incorrect, biased and unwarranted."

"We call on govt of turkey to get a proper understanding of the situation on the ground before they make any further statements," he added. 

Turkish President Erdogan in New York last week said, "Despite the resolutions adopted by the UNSC, Kashmir is still besieged and eight million people are still stuck in Kashmir"

On Malaysia, MEA said, "We have had traditionally, good and friendly ties with Malaysia. We were quite surprised and deeply regret the comments made by PM of Malaysia. It not based on facts" and asked the country to "desist from making such statements"

Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused India of "invading and occupying" Jammu and Kashmir in New York.

Stating India's position, MEA reminded that the "state of J&K signed the instrument of accession" like all other princely states after British left the subcontinent and Pakistan "invaded & occupied" parts of J&K, a fact "recognised by United Nations". It also reiterated that the current development of removing the special status for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir is a "purely internal matter of India."

Only 3 countries--Malaysia, Turkey and China raised Kashmir at UNGA in New York last week, with India reacting to all three. All three countries have close ties with Islamabad, with China building a massive infrastructure project China Pakistan economic corridor that passes through the South Asian country. 

India has also slammed China for raising Kashmir at UNGA, saying that the China Pakistan economic corridor is changing the status quo of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.