Turkey hosts Kashmir conference, drawing criticism from India

Turkey hosted a conference focused on Kashmir in Istanbul, rekindling concerns about Ankara's involvement in the disputed territory issue. The gathering has drawn criticism from India, with New Delhi questioning the motivations behind the event and the narratives presented.

According to Indian observers, the conference featured photographs and video material, some dating back several years, presented as current documentation. Critics argue the event served as a platform for anti-India messaging and was orchestrated to reshape international perceptions of the Kashmir issue.

Pakistan's role in organizing or supporting the conference has been noted by Indian analysts, who view it as part of a broader diplomatic strategy to internationalize the Kashmir dispute. The use of archival imagery rather than recent material has raised questions about the factual basis for presentations made at the gathering.

Turkey's recurring public positions on Kashmir have previously strained New Delhi's relations with Ankara. Indian officials have consistently objected to what they characterize as unwarranted foreign interference in what India maintains is an internal matter governed by its constitutional framework and bilateral agreements.