India summons Turkish envoy over Erdogan's remarks on Kashmir

India summoned the Turkish ambassador on Monday to lodge a diplomatic protest over President Tayyip Erdogan's remarks on the disputed region of Kashmir and warned it would have a bearing on bilateral ties.

During a visit to Pakistan last week, Erdogan said the situation in Indian Kashmir was worsening because of sweeping changes New Delhi introduced in the Muslim-majority territory and that Turkey stood in solidarity with the people of occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

India told Turkish envoy Sakir Ozkan Torunlar that Erdogan's comments lacked any "understanding" of the history of the Kashmir dispute, the Indian foreign ministry said.

"This recent episode is but one more example of a pattern of Turkey interfering in the internal affairs of other countries. India finds that completely unacceptable," foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

He said that India had served a strong demarche, or formal diplomatic note.

India accused Turkey of trying to justify its arch foe's use of "cross border terrorism."

"These developments have strong implications for our bilateral relations," the foreign ministry spokesman said, referring to Erdogan's comments.