Turkiye is as yet the only West Asian and Muslim country to come out in support of Pakistanboth after the Pahalgam terror attack as well as following today’s Operation Sindoor.
Following the Pahalgam attack, Turkish media, including the state-affiliated outlets, focused on atrocities in Kashmir, and anti-Muslim violence in other parts of India, but observers feel its radio silence on the Pahalgam attack and its victims was meant to be indicative of its geopolitical stance.
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, Turkiye has now publicly and officially come out in support of Pakistan. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in a phone call with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, to discuss the escalating tensions. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry consequently announced that Turkiye had expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation and both nations agreed to remain in close coordination.
Turkiye’s response is not really surprising, given its history of geopolitical closeness with Pakistan. Since 2019, however, it has positively upped the antenna on opposing India, especially by prefixing its position on Kashmir, which India maintains is a domestic issue.
A proponent of political Islam, Erdogan has given shelter to members of the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as to those affiliated with it. Turkiye also offers refuge to Kashmiri separatists who often organise conferences and events on Kashmir from Turkish territory, much to New Delhi’s chagrin.
These actions converge neatly with the current Turkish aspirations in Asia.
Firstly, Pakistan is a close defence partner and market hub for Turkish arms. Next, as the only nuclear-armed Muslim country, Pakistan can provide Turkiye with the nuclear bomb. Thirdly, Turkiye sees a parallel on its claims on Northern Cyprus with those of Pakistan on Kashmir. And finally, Ankara knows that Pakistan, its army, and demographics can always be put to use in service of Turkiye if necessary in lieu of its all-weather support.
Turkiye’s position is neither new nor unexpected. India should carefully calibrate Turkish policy and activities in South Asia, and move beyond the only symbolic gestures of issuing travel advisories for Indian tourists there.
(The author is an award-winning journalist specializing on Eurasian affairs. This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)