Latest news with #Turkey-Pakistan
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Erdogan & family guiding Turkey-Pakistan axis
The Turkey-Pakistan axis is not just about military dynamics as Ankara has over the years assisted Islamabad in pushing its anti-India narrative . Led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's family, Turkey has used social media handles, television channels and conferences to push Pakistan 's narrative, ET has reliably learnt. Persons familiar with Turkey-Pakistan dynamics alleged that Turkey's premier channel TRT World has been at the forefront of shaping narrative favourable to Pakistan, including during the Operation Sindoor and the subsequent conflict. Two weeks before the Pahalgam terror attack, Istanbul hosted a seminar on Pakistan's narrative on the Kashmir issue with participation of pro-Pakistan figures, sources familiar with developments told ET. Erdogan had disallowed ISI-sponsored seminars on Kashmir in Turkey a few years back only to revive it again. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout: New Apocalyptic MMO Crossout Play Now Undo Since 2018, coordinated social media campaigns comprising major anti-India narrative have resonated simultaneously from Islamabad and Istanbul, sources alleged. Through a network of NGOs across continents, the Erdogan family has allegedly built an influence network that pushes narrative for Hamas as well as Pakistan-sponsored anti-India campaigns. A Turkish organisation TUGVA that pursues the political ambitions of Erdogan's AKP also helps Pakistan to create its narrative, ET has learnt. Pakistan has often backed Turkey's narratives, including on Islamophobia. Live Events While high-level visits from Pakistan to Turkey and vice-versa have increased over the past two years, the recently-concluded visit by the Pakistan PM to Turkey saw the presence of Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir also. This was part of efforts to give Munir international legitimacy. In Tehran, Sharif did not get the desired support as Iran stayed neutral amid its strategic ties with India.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
The Story Of Turkey-Pakistan 'Brotherhood' And Why It Runs Deep
That the Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood runs deep is a fact amply underlined by the Turkish response to the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan. But what makes this alliance so strong is not just diplomacy, but history and tradition. Not only had the waning Ottoman Khilafat (or Caliphate) movement influenced the formation of Pakistan, but the shared tradition of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islam, culturality, and moderate Sufism is such that the two countries often fondly call each other 'Kardeslers', meaning "brothers" in Turkish. The fact that both Turkey and Pakistan were also in the same 'blocs' during the Cold War era - the Baghdad Pact (later Regional Cooperation for Development, and then Economic Cooperation Organisation), the Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO), or even Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and D-8 being examples - helped them geopolitically cement their underlying religio-cultural-historical connection. The 1965 And 1971 Wars In 1951, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Treaty of Eternal Friendship. That led to Ankara progressively upping its support to Pakistan in all its wars with India. If the 1965 war saw Turkey supporting Pakistan diplomatically, by 1971, that had turned into material support as well in the form of aircraft assistance. Now, in the latest four-day conflict between the two countries, Turkey is believed to have supplied over 350 drones to Pakistan, along with military advisors and operatives to use the same. The mysterious landing of a Turkish C-130, followed by a visit by Lt Gen Yasar Kadioglu (Chief of Turkish Intelligence) in Pakistan days before Operation Sindoor, also raised suspicions. All this is in addition to the already signed deal to allow for upgrading of Pakistani F-16s at Turkish facilities and supply four stealth corvettes, 30 T129 ATAK helicopters, Kemankes cruise missiles, etc. The Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has personally thanked the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for his "strong support and unwavering solidarity" during the Indo-Pak conflict. A Very Close Association For the two countries, their once-rhetorical support for each other has now decidedly turned into a more strategic one. Just as Islamabad readily concurs with Ankara on Northern Cyprus and refuses to recognise the Armenian genocide, Ankara backs Islamabad on the plebiscite line on Kashmir as well as its bid to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group. But this is not a new shift by any measure. In his memoir, In the Line of Fire, former Pakistani President and dictator Pervez Musharaff fondly recounted how he spent his childhood in Ankara and "their [the people's] very visible love and affection for Pakistan and Pakistanis". It's also worth noting how the Indian Embassy road in Ankara has been renamed Cinnah Caddesi, meaning Jinnah Avenue. A Simultaneous Slide It was Turkey's oscillating and contradictory relationship of the 'state' with Islam that had inspired Muhammad Ali Jinnah - and Pervez Musharaff, decades later - to view the country as a model nation that Pakistan must emulate. However, both countries' regressive slide towards puritanism has occurred almost in tandem - in Turkey with the rise of Recep Erdogan, and in Pakistan with the tightening of the vice-like grip of religious narratives. If a more secularist and progressive Kemal Mustapha Atatürk had inspired Pakistani leaders like Jinnah, Ayub, Yahya or even Musharaff, religious hardliners like Erdogan, who rail brazenly at the "West", are the latest poster boys in Pakistan today. Surely, the bitterly contested domestic politics of Turkey, with the Progressives in the opposition and the religious conservatives under Erdogan, has a role to play too. Both benefit much more from batting on behalf of a "brother muslim nation" like Pakistan. The sheer distance and relatively lower commercial angularities with India are not enough for it to prefer Delhi over Islamabad. A Rival To Sheikhdoms Bonhomie with Pakistan is also rooted in Turkey's own ambition to emerge as a leader within the Ummah, or the Islamic World, which is hitherto dominated by Saudi-led Sheikhdoms. Given how India has built stable relations with such Sheikhdoms, the non-Arab majors like Turkey and Pakistan, which were historically treated as "lessers" within the Ummah, are now seeking to stitch a rival "bloc" involving other non-Arab nations, such as Malaysia, Iran and the perennially contrarian but Arab, Qatar. The deliberate exposé of the Khashoggi murder by the Turkish authorities was designed to embarrass the Saudis, underlining the internal rift within the Ummah. Also, with the US, India and Sheikdoms working conjointly on many fronts, Pakistan is left with only Turkey, along with China, to afford it some bragging rights. By standing up for Pakistan, Erdogan wants to project the imperialist grandeur of "Pasha" - the highest ranking official harking back to the Ottoman era - something the Turkish President desperately seeks to revive. The Indian Approach However, for India, Turkey's indulgence of Pakistan has resulted in Delhi asserting its own anti-Turkey view on Northern Cyprus, conducting naval exercises with Turkey's rival, Greece, and even becoming Armenia's largest arms supplier. The Indian reaction is a more recent phenomenon and a fallout of the Erdogan era. The Turkey-less India-Middle East-Europe-Economic Corridor, aimed at countering Ankara's rival geostrategic initiative of 'Iraq Development Road', which shortchanges India, is part of New Delhi's approach. In a way, Erdogan's own electoral considerations, the solidification of India's relations with Arab Sheikdoms, Afghanistan (increasingly a pain point with Pakistan now), the US and the forever sectarian Iran, will ensure that Turkey and Pakistan continue to deepen their jointmanship, something that is bound to irk Delhi. As of now, the overwhelming nationalistic fervour in India has resulted in calls to de-prioritise Turkey as a destination for tourism and other exchanges. But that's barely enough to push Turkey to revisit its stance. Supporting Pakistan makes more sense to the calculative and ambitious Erdogan. The dearth of 'Turkish Delight' for India ought not to surprise anyone. (Lt. Gen. Bhopinder Singh (born 20 March 1946) is the former Lieutenant Governor of The Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Pondicherry and an Indian Army officer who has been awarded the PVSM.)
News18
25-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Erdogan To Host Shehbaz Sharif In Istanbul For Talks Amid India-Turkey Strains
Last Updated: Turkey was the only West Asian nation to openly criticise the operation Sindoor and back Pakistan, deepening the fault lines between Ankara and New Delhi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold high-level talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday, according to a statement by Erdogan's communications chief, Fahrettin Altun. The leaders will discuss bilateral relations, regional security, and the fight against terrorism, reports Reuters. 'During the meeting, bilateral relations, regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism, will be discussed," Fahrettin Altun said on X. The meeting takes place amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Turkey, triggered by India's boycott of Turkish goods and services following Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism mission. Turkey was the only West Asian nation to openly criticise the operation and back Pakistan, deepening the fault lines between Ankara and New Delhi. Turkey-Pakistan defence ties have drawn attention. A Turkish Ada-class anti-submarine corvette docked at Karachi port on May 2, while a Turkish C-130 Hercules military aircraft landed in Karachi on April 27, reportedly carrying military supplies. Although Turkey claims these were routine visits, reports suggest Pakistan used Turkish-made drones in its conflict with India. First Published: May 25, 2025, 20:15 IST
India Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Erdogan unmoved by boycott-Turkey calls, backs true brother Pakistan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has doubled down on the Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood despite a growing call in India to boycott everything Turkish. Turkey not only provided Pakistan with military drones, but also operatives in its latest confrontation with India."As in the past, we will continue to stand by you in good times and bad in the future," said Erdogan, responding to a message from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Turkish Air Force C-130 aircraft and a warship reached Pakistan even as temperatures soared after India vowed justice to the families of the 26 people killed by Pakistani and Pakistan-trained terrorists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. As India struck terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) as part of Operation Sindoor, the Islamabad-Rawalpindi establishment attempted to hit Indian military and civilian tried to swarm India's aerial defences with Turkish drones. It reportedly used Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones against what added to the anger of Indians was that Turkey not only supplied military hardware but Turkish operatives Turkish military operatives were killed as part of Operation Sindoor, sources told India Today hashtag BoycottTurkey has been trending in India, as Indians feel betrayed. India conducted Operation Dost to rush in aid to Turkey after the massive 2023 earthquake, but it returned the favour with drones to are cancelling trips to Turkey and calling for a boycott of Turkish products. From politicians and actors to military veterans, everyone is lending voice to the "Boycott Turkey" as tourist booking cancellations to Turkey or Turkiye rose by 250%, Indian corporates promised to shun Ankara, JNU suspended an agreement with a Turkish university, and film producers announced a boycott of the country for film Erdogan seems to be far from bothered with calls for a boycott echoing in India. He responded to Sharif's post in Turkish, highlighting the strong brotherhood."The Turkey-Pakistan brotherhood, which is granted to very few nations in the world, is one of the finest examples of true friendship. As Turkey, we attach great importance to Pakistan's peace, tranquility, and stability," said naming India or the recent conflict, he lauded Pakistan's "sensible policy" and its focus on "reconciliation"."We greatly appreciate the Pakistani state's sensible, patient policy that prioritises dialogue and reconciliation in resolving disputes," wrote ended the post with -- "Long live Pakistan-Turkey friendship!"Shehbaz Sharif had written to thank Erdogan for the strong support shown by Turkey. Though the conflict with India wasn't mentioned, it was apparent what he was referring to, especially due to the choice of the word "challenge".advertisement"My dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong support and unwavering solidarity with Pakistan have deeply touched me," wrote Sharif."Pakistan takes pride in its long-standing, time-tested, and enduring fraternal ties with Turkiye, which grow stronger with each new challenge," he India's Operation Sindoor, Ankara had been actively supporting Pakistan, both militarily and diplomatically. Not just Turkey, Azerbaijan too supported Pakistan and condemned India's strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and found a helping hand in Turkish military hardware and personnel. Whether it was the Asisguard Songar, Bayraktar TB2, or YIHA drones, Pakistan's "iron brother" Turkey actively enabled Islamabad's offensive against has emerged as Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier after China, providing advanced weaponry like Bayraktar TB2 and Asisguard Songar drones, MILGEM-class corvettes, and upgrades for Pakistan's F-16 jets and Agosta 90B and Turkey have a robust military relationship, which has its based in Islamic brotherhood ideology and strategic interests. This has often positioned Ankara against India, including the Kashmir dispute.
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First Post
05-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Is Turkey at its anti-India moves again?
The arrival of a Turkish warship in Karachi and reports of military cargo flights have intensified scrutiny of Turkey-Pakistan defence ties, prompting calls in India for a reassessment of bilateral relations and tougher diplomatic measures read more Days after several media reports suggested Turkey has delivered six planeloads of weapons to Pakistan, the arrival of a Turkish naval vessel in Karachi has sparked concerns in India, highlighting Ankara's increasingly close defence ties with Islamabad. Although Turkey denied supplying weapons to Pakistan, the docking of the vessel in Pakistan's port city has added to growing unease in New Delhi. According to multiple media report, Turkish C-130 Hercules transport planes carrying military cargo reportedly landed in Pakistan last month. The development came at a time when India has vowed a harsh response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'A cargo plane from Turkiye landed in Pakistan for refuelling. It then continued on its route. Speculative news made outside of statements of authorised persons and institutions should not be relied upon,' Daily Sabah quoted the Presidency's Directorate of Communications as saying. The aircraft in question was spotted flying over the Arabian Sea on April 28, sparking speculation that it was part of a last-minute arms delivery from one of Islamabad's key allies. The theory gained traction after flight tracking data from open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources surfaced online. However, Ankara dismissed the claims, insisting the landing was part of a routine operation. Meanwhile, the presence of a Turkish naval vessel in Karachi, details of which remain scarce, is being interpreted by analysts as part of a growing pattern of deepening military ties between Turkey and Pakistan. Turkey is fast emerging as the second-largest supplier of arms to Pakistan, trailing only China, a development that has not gone unnoticed in New Delhi. Ankara has maintained that it supports peace in the region, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently calling for 'de-escalation' between India and Pakistan. 'We want the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India to be de-escalated as soon as possible, before they evolve into a more serious situation,' said Erdogan in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Turkey's actions — particularly on defence cooperation — appear to contradict those words. Turkey and Pakistan have maintained a long-standing strategic partnership, with defence cooperation forming a key pillar of their bilateral ties. In 2021, the two countries signed an agreement to expand collaboration through joint arms production. Turkey has since emerged as Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier after China. According to Eurasian Times, citing the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 10% of Turkey's total arms exports between 2020 and 2024 were directed to Pakistan. Reports also suggest that the two countries are working together to establish a joint facility for manufacturing Turkish-designed fighter jets. Notably, Turkey was the sole member among the 39 states of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to support Pakistan's removal from the grey list in 2020. Their alliance extends beyond defence, with Turkey consistently advocating for Pakistan's position on Kashmir, while Islamabad has reciprocated by backing Ankara's claims on Cyprus. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Turkish government has denied any hostile intent, but its expanding defense ties with Pakistan and repeated references to the Kashmir issue at international forums have fueled skepticism in India. With Ankara's geopolitical ambitions growing and Pakistan leaning heavily on military partnerships, observers warn that this could further strain already frosty India-Turkey relations. Amid growing tensions, former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal suggested suspending flights between India and Turkey as reports of Turkish military cargo aircraft landing in Pakistan sparked outrage across Indian strategic circles. Voicing his concerns on X, Sibal said, 'We can consider suspending our flights to Turkey and Turkish flights to India for the time being.' We can consider suspending our flights to Turkey and Turkish flights to India for the time being. — Kanwal Sibal (@KanwalSibal) April 28, 2025 Noted journalist Vikram Chandra questioned why Indians continue to use Istanbul as a transit point and suggested India should instead build relations with Turkey's key regional rival Greece 'I fail to understand why Indians travel to Europe via Istanbul! Along with China, Turkey is the one solid and constant supporter of Pakistan - and always has been. India should instead build relations with Turkey's key regional rival Greece. It's strange that there are so many direct flights to Istanbul and none to Athens,' Business Today quoted Chandra as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Security analyst Sushant Sareen warned that India was not learning from history. 'India's friends and enemies are identifying themselves. China, Turkey, Azerbaijan are clearly on the Paki side. Ideally, there should be costs for doing this but India will reward them with fatter trade deals and defence contracts; Israel is probably the only country with India,' Sareen posted. India's friends and enemies are identifying themselves. China, Turkey, Azerbaijan are clearly on the Paki side. Ideally, there should be costs for doing this but India will reward them with fatter trade deals and defence contracts; Israel is probably the only country with India.… — sushant sareen (@sushantsareen) April 28, 2025 He said every other country - US, EU, UK, even Russia, were hedging. 'But yeah Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Basically we are a people who refuse to learn from history.' Several commentators called for a boycott of Turkish tourism and airlines. Pawan Durani wrote, 'Six military planes allegedly carrying missiles have been sent by Turkey to Pakistan. How many shameless Indians are gonna travel to Turkey for holidays?' Durani also reminded Indians about the goodwill extended to Turkey after its devastating earthquake in 2023. 'How many of you remember 'Operation Dost', where within one hour of earthquake in Turkey, India was the first country to send relief teams. Snakes…' he posted. Geopolitical commentator and author Swasti Rao said it was important that India notices Turkey's role. 'Good to see that Turkish C130 Hercules transport aircraft with Military Cargo landing in Pakistan is being noticed in India. Turkey has been arming Pakistan, with an openly anti-India rhetoric,' Rao wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD She added, 'We usually only discuss #China.' Rao also flagged that Turkey was arming Bangladesh, calling the situation 'worrying' and tagging the Prime Minister's Office and Defence Ministry. With inputs from agencies
