No 'Thanksgiving' For Operation Dost As Turkey's Drones Join Pakistan's Flock Against India
On Friday, New Delhi found that it was Turkish-made drones, nearly 300-400 in number, that were fired by Pakistan at 36 locations in India across the western border
When Turkey was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2023, India started Operation Dost to become the first country to come to Ankara's assistance. Along with NDRF and aid, India sent Garuda Aerospace drones to help those trapped in the rubble and modified Kisan drones to carry medication and food.
But in a rude discovery on Friday, New Delhi found that it was Turkish-made drones, nearly 300-400 in number, that were fired by Pakistan at 36 locations in India across the western border, from Leh to Sir Creek. Officials said the debris recovered by India showed that these were SONGAR ASISGUARD drones of Turkey. This is the first national armed drone that has been used by the Turkish Armed Forces.
This now raises the speculation that it was these drones that were supplied by Turkey to Pakistan when the C-130E Hercules plane had landed in Karachi on April 28, less than a week after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On April 30, a high-ranking Turkish military and intelligence delegation, headed by Lt Gen Yasar Kadioglu, visited the Pakistan Air Force headquarters in Islamabad and met the Pakistani air chief.
Government sources say all these developments show that it is time for India to corner Turkey diplomatically, strategically, and globally, given it is now clear which camp Ankara stands in. Even in its stance and statements after the Pahalgam terror strike, the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a full pro-Pakistan line, officials point out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Erdogan have rarely met, last on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023.
But it seems India, and Indians, will now have to change their approach to Turkey, which stands clearly in the Pakistan camp.
First Published:
May 09, 2025, 19:58 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Grave by grave, new project in divided Cyprus tries to mend mistrust
Agency: PTI Last Updated: Tochni (Cyprus), Aug 14 (AP) On opposite sides of ethnically divided Cyprus, even the resting places of the dead haven't been spared the fallout of war. Shattered granite crosses are strewn about the weed-choked Greek Cypriot cemeteries in the island's northern third that's in Turkish Cypriot hands. In the Greek Cypriot south, Muslim headstones in Turkish Cypriot cemeteries are concealed by overgrowth. Until 2003, no one could cross a United Nations-controlled buffer zone to place flowers at loved ones' graves. In the five decades since a Turkish invasion, vandalism and the ravages of time have transformed hundreds of Cyprus' cemeteries into evidence of the geographic and political rift. But even as chances for bilateral talks to end the divide appear bleak, Greek and Turkish Cypriots have teamed up to mend mistrust and push for peace, one grave at a time. Restoration is underway at 15 civilian cemeteries on each side of the so-called Green Line cutting across the Mediterranean island. Expansion of the roughly 7,00,000-Euro project (USD 815,000) to more cemeteries is being considered. 'The maintenance and restoration of cemeteries constitutes one of the most symbolic and morally pressing acts for a place that strives for reconciliation," said Sotos Ktoris, a Greek Cypriot member of the committee from both communities overseeing the work. The consequences of war Turkiye's 1974 invasion, triggered when Athens-backed supporters of uniting Cyprus with Greece mounted a coup, prompted some 1,60,000 Greek Cypriots to flee their villages to safety in the south, where the internationally recognised government is seated. Some 45,000 Turkish Cypriots moved north, where authorities declared independence a decade later. To this day, only Turkiye recognizes Cyprus' northern authorities. Among the displaced were the custodians of places of worship and cemeteries, both Orthodox Christian and Muslim. Churches in the north were vandalised and looted. Mosques in the south fell into neglect and decay. As part of UN-mediated efforts to achieve a peace deal, both sides have found ways to address past wrongs, including the restoration of churches, mosques and other monuments by the committee. Earlier this year, Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar expanded the committee's work to cemetery restoration, with European Union funding and UN support and assistance. Work began in May. Seeking mutual respect Greek Cypriot workers last month were rebuilding the 100-year-old stone wall at one Muslim cemetery in Tochni, a village nestled in hilly countryside near the southern coast. Turkish Cypriot residents had outnumbered Greek Cypriots here by nearly three to one until they were transferred north a few months after the Turkish invasion ended. Many Turkish Cypriots from the north are now visiting the village to reconnect with their past, find family homes and honour their ancestors, according to Tochni's Greek Cypriot community leader, Charoulla Efstratiou. 'Just as we demand that they respect us, our dead, our religion and so forth, I believe that we owe the same respect to them," Efstratiou said. At the Tochni cemetery, a small patch of crimson flowers emerged from the parched soil atop the grave of a man who died 65 years ago, planted recently by his descendants. Putting up crosses In the village of Palaikythro that Turkish Cypriots have renamed Balikesir, broken crosses at the Greek Cypriot cemetery have been set upright again until they're fully mended. Virtually nothing was left intact. Turkish Cypriot contractor Recep Guler said it wasn't easy to restore the external walls and gate. Murude Erzen, the village's Turkish Cypriot community leader, said the cemetery is part of shared cultural heritage. 'When I saw this place, I was very upset, wondering why it had become like this," Erzen told the United Nations Development Programme in footage shared with the AP. Turkish Cypriot authorities had denied the AP access. When Erzen became community leader, she resolved to do something about it. Sotiroulla Mina Iniati, the Greek Cypriot community leader of Palaikythro, said the cost of full restoration of crosses will be borne by families or the community council. Greek Cypriots continue to elect their own community leader to affirm their claim to their lost lands and preserve their memory. 'For us, this is a sacred place," Iniati said. 'We feel that in this way, the souls of our dead who have for 51 years remain neglected, will be able to rest." An intractable dispute The last major push for a peace deal in Cyprus collapsed in 2017. top videos View all Today, the Turkish Cypriots and Turkiye shun the UN-endorsed framework for reunifying Cyprus as a federation. They insist on a two-state deal that Greek Cypriots reject because they view partition as dooming the island to Turkiye's influence, with its military hardware and troops stationed there in perpetuity. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has met Christodoulides and Tatar twice this year and is expected to meet them again in the coming months in a bid to keep peace talks alive. (AP) NPK NPK (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 13:45 IST News agency-feeds Grave by grave, new project in divided Cyprus tries to mend mistrust Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
India clocks rapid progress in food, energy and defence sectors over last 10 years: Report
India has undergone a profound transformation in the three pillars of national security - food security, energy security, and defence security over the last 10 years, driven by a clear vision in policymaking, strategic investments, and rapid technological adoption, according to an article in India Narrative. The country has emerged as the second-largest producer of rice and wheat, and the largest producer of pulses and sugar. Foodgrain output surged from 256.4 million tonnes in 2015–16 to 315.72 million tonnes in 2021–22, representing a near 60 million tonne increase over a decade. This achievement has been anchored in a multipronged approach: improved irrigation, mechanisation, high-yield seed varieties, and farmer-focused welfare schemes. Key schemes bolstering this effort include the PM-KISAN scheme, which gives direct income support to over 110 million farmers, the MGNREGA rural employment security that indirectly strengthens purchasing power for food, as well as the Soil Health Card Scheme and PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, which target sustainable soil and water management. India's agricultural exports - from shrimp to spices - have reinforced not only national income but also regional food supply stability, making it a reliable contributor to global markets. The article highlights the rapid transformation in the country's energy security since 2014, when millions of Indians still lacked basic electricity. However, by April 2018, India declared 100 per cent village electrification, connecting over 28 million households. Rural and urban electrification programmes such as DDUGJY and SAUBHAGYA closed long-standing access gaps, while the Ujjwala Yojana replaced smoky chulhas with LPG connections for low-income households. As of June 2025, India's installed power capacity stands at 476 GW, with renewables contributing 47.7 per cent - a seismic shift from around 16 per cent in 2015. Solar power has seen an extraordinary leap, from 9 GW in 2016 to 110.9 GW in 2025, positioning India third globally in solar capacity. Wind energy, too, has expanded to 51.3 GW, ranking fourth worldwide. Power shortages, which were a chronic drag on industry, have fallen from 4.2 per cent in 2013–14 to 0.1 per cent in 2024–25. Energy diversification, alongside strategic oil reserves and overseas asset acquisitions, has cushioned India from supply shocks. India's defence transformation has also been marked by a decisive move towards self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat framework. Indigenous missile programmes - Agni, Prithvi, and BrahMos (the world's fastest cruise missile) - have enhanced deterrence. INS Arihant, the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, has strengthened India's nuclear triad. Recent innovations include the Pralay tactical missile with high-precision, quick-deployment capability and the Agni Prime missile, which has been upgraded into a long-range strike weapon. Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh have attracted Rs 20,000 crore in commitments, with Tamil Nadu alone drawing Rs 11,794 crore by 2024. This ecosystem has fuelled record defence exports to over 100 countries, a dramatic rise from serving just around 20 nations a decade ago. Besides, Indian forces are adopting AI-powered battlefield systems, smart armour, exoskeletons, and AR-enabled tactical gear. The success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan showcased the effectiveness of indigenous platforms - Akash missile systems, BrahMos, Tejas fighter jets, and LCH Prachand helicopters. Cross-border security has improved, with a notable decline in insurgency incidents, the article added.
India.com
18 hours ago
- India.com
THIS Muslim nation, India's friend, deploys Turkey's KHAN missile system in..., big setback for China due to...
(File) KHAN Missile System: In a major setback to China's aggressive stance in the South China Sea, Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, has reportedly deployed Turkey's advanced short-range KHAN ballistic missile system in East Kalimantan, a move, experts believe, could alter the balance of power in Southeast Asia. Where Indonesia deployed the KHAN missile system? According to military experts, Indonesia has become the first country in Southeast Asia to acquire ballistic missile capabilities, a step taken by Jakarta to protect its interests amid increasing tensions with China in the South China Sea. Indonesia's ballistic missile deployment is also significant from geopolitical point of view as it highlights how countries in the region are reducing their dependence on the US and the West for arms exports, and boosting defense ties with regional powers like India and Turkey. The East Kalimantan region, where Indonesia has deployed the KHAN missile system, is of great strategic importance because of northern sea routes. The region is also home to Nusantara, Indonesia planned capital city. Why China is concerned? China and Indonesia are embroiled in border dispute in the South China Sea, particularly around the Natuna Islands. Beijing claims a major chunk of the South China Sea through the 'nine-dash line', which overlaps with Indonesia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Jakarta often protests intrusions by Chinese fishing boats into its EEZ, and the deployment of the KHAN missile system will give it the ability to deter Chinese intrusions into its borders. How powerful is KHAN missile system? Developed by Turkish arms manufacturer Roketsan, the KHAN missile system is a short-range ballistic missile system, with a range of about 280 km. Indonesia is not a party to the missile control regime, and as such, Turkey cannot sell it missile systems with ranges exceeding 300 km. According to media reports, Indonesia's newly-acquired KHAN missile system was first seen at the Indonesian Army's Raipur A Yonaarmed 18 base in Tengarong, Northern Kalimantan.
