Turkey Raises Kashmir Issue in Parliament, Aligning Once Again With Pakistan

Ankara: Turkey has once again drawn attention to the Kashmir issue, signaling its continued support for Pakistan on the global stage. This time, the remarks came not on an international forum but within Turkey’s own Parliament, highlighting Ankara’s ongoing alignment with Islamabad.

During a budget session for the Foreign Ministry, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan referenced Kashmir while presenting the 2026 budget to the Planning and Budget Committee. Speaking on South Asian disputes, Fidan emphasized that the Kashmir conflict should be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with international law.

“Our stance remains firm that bilateral disputes, especially over Kashmir, must be addressed through negotiation guided by international law,” Fidan said. “We observed in May that India and Pakistan de-escalated tensions through dialogue. Similar efforts should be applied to Kashmir.”

Analysts note that Fidan’s comments reflect Turkey’s strategic interest in Pakistan and could be interpreted as an effort to appease Islamabad. Over recent years, Turkish leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, have consistently echoed Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, drawing India’s protests and warnings. India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and has repeatedly asked Turkey to respect its sovereignty.

Observers warn that Fidan’s deliberate mention of Kashmir in Parliament could further strain India-Turkey relations, which have already been tense following Turkey’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindur. Erdoğan himself addressed the Kashmir issue in September, urging a resolution under UN guidelines and bilateral dialogue.

Turkey’s recent interventions, including in Bangladesh, suggest a pattern of active involvement in South Asian disputes, often in ways that align with Pakistan’s interests, raising concerns for regional diplomatic stability.