Source: The post Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India has been created, based on the article “The Pakistan-Turkey nexus and where India stands” published in “Indian Express” on 10 May 2025. Turkey and Pakistan grow closer against India.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- International Relations
Context: India recently repelled a large-scale Pakistani drone attack along its western border. Investigations suggest the drones were Turkish-made, bringing renewed attention to Turkey’s growing strategic partnership with Pakistan. This raises questions about Ankara’s motivations and the implications of this alliance for India’s regional and global diplomacy.
The Drone Attack and Turkish Involvement
- Suspected Turkish Drone Origins: Over 300 drones were used in the Pakistani attack. Preliminary analysis identified them as Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models. This was confirmed by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during a Ministry of Defence press briefing.
- Turkey’s Military Presence in Pakistan: A Turkish Ada-class anti-submarine corvette docked at Karachi port on May 2. A Turkish C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft landed at Karachi airport on April 27. Although Turkey claimed these were routine visits without arms, their timing raised concerns.
- Turkey’s Distinct Stance Compared to Gulf Nations: Turkey openly condemned India’s Operation Sindoor, unlike Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which refrained from taking Pakistan’s side and instead showed sensitivity to India’s position on Kashmir.
Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Convergence
- Historical and Ideological Alignment: Turkey and Pakistan share Islamic ties and were Cold War allies in blocs like the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD). Pakistan supported Turkey during the Cyprus crises in 1964 and 1971.
- Erdogan’s Active Engagement: Since 2003, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has visited Pakistan at least ten times. In February 2025, he co-chaired the 7th session of the Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Islamabad.
- Rivalry with Gulf Powers and Alternative Alliances: Turkey, along with Qatar, challenges the regional dominance of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Turkey seeks partnerships with non-Gulf Muslim states like Pakistan and Malaysia, evident from the 2019 Kuala Lumpur Summit, which was seen as a challenge to Saudi leadership.
Pakistan’s Gains from Turkish Partnership
- Support on Kashmir Issue: President Erdogan’s recent statement reaffirming solidarity with Kashmiris prompted India to protest officially. Pakistan identified Turkey, China, and Azerbaijan as its strongest international supporters during the crisis.
- Advanced Defence Cooperation: Turkey is Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier after China. Deals include Bayraktar drones, Kemankes cruise missiles, and now the Asisguard Songar drone. These reflect expanding military-industrial cooperation.
- Naval Modernisation Aligned with Indian Ocean Strategy: Turkey’s STM Defence Technologies signed a $1 billion deal to build four new corvettes for the Pakistan Navy. It is also upgrading Pakistan’s Agosta 90B submarines, continuing a legacy of naval support.
India’s Diplomatic Counterbalance
- Partnerships with Cyprus and Armenia: India supports Greece-backed Cyprus and has become Armenia’s largest arms supplier in 2024. These moves counterbalance Turkish and Pakistani positions in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.
- Exclusion from Indo-Pacific and IMEC Projects: Pakistan and Turkey are excluded from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy (2022) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). President Erdogan has criticised IMEC and is pushing Turkey’s “Iraq Development Road” as a rival initiative.
- Turkey’s Position in Anti-India Bloc: Despite India’s humanitarian aid to Turkey in 2023, Turkey remains firmly aligned with Pakistan. Ankara now ranks as Pakistan’s most active ally after China, posing ongoing strategic concerns for India.
Question for practice:
Examine the strategic dimensions of the Turkey-Pakistan partnership and its implications for India’s regional and global diplomacy.
