Urge India, Pakistan to settle Kashmir issue via dialogue: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his desire for constructive dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad in order to find a solution to the burning conflict over Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to the media before departing on his Indian visit yesterday, Erdogan called for a negotiated settlement of the dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi, reports Sputnik quoting Pakistan media.

Erdogan, who was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi today, will hold delegation level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day.

A number of agreements are expected to be signed in several areas after the talks. The Turkish President is accompanied by senior cabinet ministers and a 150-member business delegation that will take part in a meeting of the India-Turkey Business Forum.

Key bilateral and regional issues, including India's NSG membership bid and ways to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism and trade are expected to be discussed during his visit. India-Turkey economic and commercial cooperation constitutes an important dimension of the bilateral relationship.

This is Erdogan's first foreign visit after winning a referendum in his country earlier this month which gave him more executive powers as President.