Latest news with #Erdoğan
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Turkish president names his "greatest wish" for Ukraine-Russia peace talks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeated his offer to facilitate a meeting between heads of state following talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul. Source: Anadolu, quoting Erdoğan's remarks after a Turkish government meeting in Ankara, as reported by European Pravda Details: Erdoğan said his "greatest wish" is to arrange a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy "in Istanbul or Ankara". He did not rule out inviting US President Donald Trump. "I also want to take part in this meeting so that Istanbul becomes a centre of peace," he added. Erdoğan called the negotiations in Istanbul "an important achievement" that took place "despite yesterday's events" – likely referring to the attack on Russian airfields. Background: This meeting between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations, which lasted a little over an hour, was the second one, following talks on 16 May. As a result of the meeting, the two sides managed to reach agreement on further exchanges involving specific categories of military personnel. Kyiv also handed over a list of several hundred Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The Russian delegation has stated that it proposed a temporary ceasefire on certain sections of the front. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Turkey's caliphate delusions and India's security concerns
Turkey, once embodying Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's secular, modern vision, now stumbles under the iron-fisted whims of a man chasing the ghosts of the past. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has gone from reformer to radical, from statesman to strongman. His current avatar? A self-styled Caliph of the 21st century, broadcasting delusions of grandeur across the Muslim world. Let us not sugar-coat it, this is not religious revivalism. It is a well-rehearsed, high-budget cosplay of the Ottoman Empire, starring Erdoğan as the lone ranger of the Ummah. His bromance with Pakistan and hostility toward India are not products of ideology but ambition. He treats it as an Influence Olympics and he is doing whatever it takes to win gold. Cloaked in nostalgia and supercharged by social media, Erdoğan's neo-Ottoman propaganda seeks to radicalise young minds from Kashmir to Kerala. His tactics are straight from the dictator's playbook — mask authoritarianism with messianic rhetoric, fund proxies, push propaganda, and exploit identity fault lines. And India, one of the most diverse nations and an exemplar of pluralism, must level up. His drones fly across the Line of Control (LoC), but they carry more than narcotics or arms, they carry messages. Messages that say, 'We're watching, we're coming, and we have got technology too.' The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from across the LoC are manufactured in Turkey and rebranded in Pakistan, similar to Chinese missiles with Pakistani names. Same chips, new lies. It's like watching bootleg missiles in a bad spy movie, except this is real. Whether we like it or not, Turkey has built a formidable drone warfare industry, punching far above its weight. Its UAVs have altered battlefields in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and reshaped dynamics in multiple wars across the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) region. India needs to stop playing nice and start playing smart. Equip Turkey's adversaries, Armenia, Cyprus, Greece, Saudi Arabia, with indigenous drone tech, cyber-defence systems and engage them in sharper diplomacy. Give Erdoğan a reality check: India does not just vibe, it retaliates. And while Erdoğan plays Sultan on TikTok, real States such as the UAE, backed by Saudi Arabia and Egypt are pushing back — with dignity, not delusional dreams. West Asia is not falling for his bait, and neither should India. These nations are not just challenging his economic model but his ideological export factory. The time has come for a coalition of civilisations, a bloc to counter the radicalism of the Turkey-Pakistan duet. Their CVs are written in blood: Armenians, Assyrians, Greeks, Kashmiris, and Bengalis. Their history of genocidal experiences is no footnote. India must stop doom-scrolling while Erdoğan's bots work overtime. The Turkish dissident Gülenist movement – led by Fethullah Gülen and termed by the Erdoğan administration as the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) — has been crushed inside Turkey, but is alive globally. This offers India a diplomatic opportunity. It should offer asylum and give them platforms. Make India the new Istanbul for liberal Turkish exiles. We did not ask for this ideological war, but we cannot afford to lose it. Meanwhile, the Turkish India-bashing machinery and its infrastructure is vast and well-funded. Over the years, State-backed Turkish media agencies such as the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) and Anadolu Agency (AA), along with countless non-profits and academic institutions, have been hiring ISI proxies from Pakistan as well as Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, Turkish NGOs such as the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the Diyanet Foundation and the Turkey Youth Foundation (TUGVA) are running as religious start-ups and trying to dent India's sovereignty. Funded by Ankara and cloaked in cultural exchange, they run recruitment drives without even informing Indian missions. Students lured through flashy scholarships are groomed into soft agents of radicalism. It constitutes academic gaslighting at its finest. Let us set the record straight: Any Indian or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder who supports Turkey's radical designs or acts against Indian interests should be stripped of status and access. National identity is not a prop. It is a privilege. Erdoğan is also using entertainment as his weapon of choice. Turkish serials like Ertugrul and Barbaroslar are Caliphate-core propaganda. These shows are not just binge-worthy, they have brainwash potential. The Kashmir Valley is saturated with clips romanticising religious conquest and resistance — Instagram reels today, ideological grenades tomorrow. The Imam Hatip schools, funded directly by Erdoğan, act as radical production houses, manufacturing the next generation of zealots, influencers and apologists. Not to forget the IHH, masquerading as a humanitarian NGO, while running parallel political missions in Kashmir and beyond. Erdoğan is a person of binaries, dichotomies and paradoxes. And while advertising itself as a modern Islamic power committed to dialogue with much fanfare, Turkey's State machinery under Erdoğan simultaneously funds radical voices, fugitives and known extremists in hiding. This duplicity must be exposed. Erdoğan is not a political phoenix but a paranoid populist. Aging, erratic, and increasingly isolated, he knows his time is short. That is why he is sprinting toward the mirage of Ummah leadership with one foot in delusion and the other in desperation. India must wake up, show up and scale up. Use media, diplomacy and diaspora networks. Let Erdoğan's own people turn the tide. We don't need missiles to counter every menace: Ideas are mightier than drones. This is not just an external threat. We can no longer afford to treat Turkey's antics as distant drama. This is not fiction. It is Erdoğan's audition for Caliph, and India must ensure he never makes the cut. Abhishek Singhvi is a senior four-term sitting MP, member, Congress Working Committee, and national spokesperson, Congress. Akash Kumar Singh is a doctoral scholar at the Special Centre for National Security Studies, JNU, and a former LAMP fellow. The views expressed are personal. Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Turkish President calls for continuation of Russia-Ukraine talks
Ankara - Saba: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Friday evening that Ankara will strive to achieve lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, urging Moscow and Kyiv to continue negotiations. According to Russia Today, President Erdoğan said he expects discussions on a ceasefire in Ukraine during the second round of talks in Istanbul. The Turkish Presidency reported that Erdoğan spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, expressing hope for a meeting between the two leaders. The same source indicated that the call addressed bilateral relations between Turkey and Ukraine, as well as regional and global developments. The Turkish Presidency noted that Erdoğan expressed confidence that after the negotiations between delegations conclude, holding talks at the leadership level would benefit the peace process and should be done without delay. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned on Friday the possibility of a summit involving Turkish President Erdoğan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Zelensky to reach a sustainable ceasefire in Ukraine. In related news, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions in Istanbul on May 15, as stated by Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. Peskov emphasized that the goal of the proposed talks with Ukraine is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and secure Russia's interests. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
Last Updated: Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India The geopolitical landscape is witnessing increasing strain between India and Turkey, driven by Ankara's persistent alignment with Pakistan. While historical ties once facilitated cooperation, Turkey's vocal support for Islamabad, coupled with the use of Turkish drones by Pakistan in cross-border attacks, has severely deteriorated bilateral relations. Ankara's strategy, aimed at bolstering its influence in the Islamic world, is an ill-advised gamble. Continued economic engagement with India would be far more advantageous than its current political posturing. However, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems bent on destroying ties, especially those hard-won and easily lost. Ankara's aligned stance and military complicity Erdoğan has unequivocally sided with Pakistan, particularly after India's counter-terror action, Operation Sindoor. Ankara openly condemned New Delhi's military actions, labelling them provocative and a potential trigger for wider conflict. This stance is not new; Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan's position on Kashmir, with Erdoğan affirming solidarity with the 'Kashmiri brothers" in February 2025 and seeking to raise the issue globally. advetisement Such diplomatic assertiveness has emboldened Pakistan, allowing it to circumvent international scrutiny of its terror-sponsoring activities. Turkey's support has also led Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue unnecessarily in forums such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, albeit unsuccessfully. Furthermore, this support has a military dimension. Turkish C-130 Hercules transport planes deliver military cargo to Pakistan, alongside the docking of Turkish naval vessels in Karachi. More critically, preliminary findings identified Turkish-manufactured Asisguard Songar models, or similar Turkish-origin drones, as those used by Pakistan in cross-border strikes during heightened tensions. Direct military support, along with diplomatic backing, demonstrates the depth of this partnership. Consequently, Turkey has become Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier after China, marked by collaborative military projects and joint exercises. India's strategic recalibration and countermeasures India has not remained passive. New Delhi has embarked on a strategic recalibration, deepening ties with countries that are either Ankara's regional rivals or those with which it has strained relations. This includes strengthening defence and intelligence-sharing mechanisms with nations like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and France. Its proactive policy in West Asia, seeking robust strategic ties with key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also serves as a counterbalance to Turkish expansionism and its aspirations for leadership in the Islamic world. Furthermore, India views the Turkey-Pakistan axis not merely as a military threat but also as a challenge in narrative warfare and diplomatic influence. Both Ankara and Islamabad are investing in state-backed media outlets and social media campaigns to internationalise issues that India considers internal, specifically Kashmir. In response, India is enhancing its indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for strategic autonomy and reducing vulnerabilities to shifting geopolitical allegiances. The growing call within India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism reflects public anger and provides a direct economic lever against Turkey's perceived support for terrorism. The diminishing economic returns for Ankara Critically, Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India. Data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reveals that India has consistently maintained a significant trade surplus with Turkey. Advertisement In FY22-23, India's trade surplus with Turkey stood at $5.4 billion, which, while still substantial, reduced to $2.9 billion in FY23-24. From April to February in FY24-25, exports to Turkey were $5.2 billion, and imports stood at $2.84 billion, a surplus of approximately $2.7 billion—an economic relationship heavily skewed against Ankara. The economic repercussions of Turkey's political choices are becoming increasingly evident. India's overall merchandise trade with Turkey contracted to approximately 63% of FY22-23 levels by FY24-25. This decline, predating the most recent surge in tensions, reflects Turkey's souring relations with India amid Ankara's outbursts on Kashmir. Following widespread calls across India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism, major travel companies such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have advised against or suspended bookings to Turkey. Cleartrip reported a 260% rise in cancellations to Turkey within a single week. While India's imports from Turkey—including mineral oil, gold, and marble—represent a minuscule portion of its total inbound shipments, the overall trade volume, particularly India's substantial exports of mineral fuels, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, demonstrates that continued economic ties are far more beneficial to Turkey than its current confrontational political alignment. advetisement Conclusion Erdoğan's gamble of siding with Pakistan against India is fundamentally flawed. While it may serve his domestic political agenda and aspirations for regional leadership, it comes at a significant cost to Turkey's economic interests. top videos View All India is a rapidly growing economic power with a massive market and significant geopolitical weight. It has demonstrated its resolve to counter hostile alignments through diplomatic recalibration, fiscal measures, and a robust defence posture. Turkey's trade deficit with India, coupled with the immediate and tangible impact of Indian boycott calls, shows that a continued confrontational stance offers minimal returns. For Ankara, abandoning its flawed foreign policy necessitates a pragmatic re-evaluation of its priorities. Economic prosperity through balanced relationships may ultimately yield greater dividends than a strategically ill-advised political alliance. About the Author Sohil Sinha tags : defence erdogan Kashmir Operation Sindoor pakistan trade turkey Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 20:38 IST News opinion Opinion | Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
The Bulletin May 20, 2025
The rundown: As President Trump seeks to reshape Washington's foreign policy in the Middle East, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emerged as a key global partner. Here's how. Why it matters: Credited with brokering talks in conflicts from Syria to Ukraine, Erdoğan's experience, reliability and strategic influence make him central to Trump's international agenda. Under Erdoğan's leadership, Turkey has positioned itself as a crucial mediator in regional crises, while also expanding its diplomatic and military influence. Despite past tensions, Trump views Erdoğan as a strong, transactional ally aligned with U.S. interests, especially amid growing skepticism of traditional European partners. Turkey's strategic location, military assertiveness and Erdoğan's longevity in power have boosted its relevance on the world stage. Read more in-depth coverage: NATO Issues Warning About Defense Spending Amid Threats from Russia, China TL/DR: Over the past week alone, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proved himself a crucial player on several geopolitical fronts. What happens now? This evolving partnership signals a pragmatic realignment in U.S. diplomacy, with Türkiye playing an increasingly vital role in shaping a multipolar global order. Deeper reading Turkey's Erdogan Has Become One of World's Most Powerful Men—And Trump Ally
