Turkey asked not to interfere in India’s internal affairs

India has reacted sharply to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remark -- backing Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue -- and said Turkey should not interfere in the internal affairs of India.

During a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Friday, Erdogan had voiced Turkey's support to Pakistan's stand on the Kashmir issue.

In response to queries on references to Jammu and Kashmir by the Turkish president and the Turkey-Pakistan joint declaration, India said it "rejects all references to Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral and inalienable part of India."

"...We call upon the Turkish leadership to not interfere in India's internal affairs and develop proper understanding of the facts, including the grave threat posed by terrorism emanating from Pakistan to India and the region," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said today.

In September last year too, Erdogan had raised the Kashmir issue during his address at the United Nations General Assembly.

Reacting to his remarks in the UN, India had said it "deeply regrets" the statement of Turkey on the Kashmir issue and termed it an internal matter.