Erdogan’s Pakistan Leaning Calls for Strategic Indian Response

Rapid Summary

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed “brotherly” support for Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif after a terrorist attack in pahalgam and condemned India’s retaliatory strikes,reigniting tensions by raising teh Kashmir issue.
• Turkey’s ties with Pakistan include the deployment of military drones, defense cooperation since the 1950s, and shared ideological projects under Erdogan’s leadership.
• Turkish criticism of India intensified following the abrogation of article 370, with Erdogan leveraging international platforms like the UN and OIC to condemn India.
• Economic interactions between Turkey and India remain strong despite political differences; bilateral trade is valued at over $10 billion while Turkish firms contribute to infrastructure projects in India.
• Indian calls for boycott of Turkey due to perceived hostility have sentimental but limited economic impact; diplomatic measures may be required at global forums such as UN or FATF.
• Despite strained ties, India’s foreign policy towards Turkey aims for an independent approach that aligns with national interests.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The recent escalation in tensions due to Turkish support for pakistan highlights challenges in navigating bilateral relations against ideological and strategic divergences. While calls for boycotts reflect public sentiment, they may not substantially disrupt economic ties given mutual stakes exceeding $10 billion. However,assertive countermeasures at global forums are necessary to address Turkey’s rhetoric on issues like Kashmir.

India’s long-term strategy will benefit from focusing on pragmatic alignments rather than allowing relations to be solely defined by Turkey’s tilt toward Pakistan. Given Ankara’s important role as a member of G20 with influential regional diplomacy, balancing pathways for cooperation alongside vigilance against potential risks-such as military advancements involving Pakistani partnerships-is prudent.

Economic collaboration should continue being evaluated through developmental efficacy without compromising security or strategic priorities. By independently engaging Ankara while isolating its stance within platforms like OIC or FATF regarding terrorism sponsorships linked to islamabad, India can safeguard larger geopolitical interests.

Read More