Why in News?

India thwarted a large-scale drone attack by Pakistan, targeting 36 sites along the western border. Over 300 drones, likely Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models, were used.

The attack raises concerns about Turkey’s growing military support for Pakistan, evidenced by recent Turkish military activity in Karachi. While Turkey denies sending arms, it remains Pakistan’s staunchest ally in West Asia and the only country to condemn India’s Operation Sindoor.

In contrast, India has developed strong relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, who have shown neutrality and greater alignment with India on regional issues, including Kashmir.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Turkey’s interests in Pakistan
• Pakistan’s interests in Turkey
• Turkey–Pakistan relationship and India

Turkey’s interests in Pakistan

• Historical and Ideological Bond
  • Shared Islamic identity has historically underpinned the Turkey–Pakistan relationship.
  • During the Cold War, both were part of Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) and the Regional Cooperation Development (RCD).
  • Pakistan supported Turkey in the Cyprus conflicts (1964, 1971) and pledged early recognition of Turkish Cyprus in 1983.
  • The rise of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his political Islamism deepened the ideological alignment with Pakistan post-2000.
• High-Level Political Engagement
  • Erdoğan has visited Pakistan at least 10 times since 2003.
  • He co-chaired the 7th Pakistan-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in February 2025, reflecting close bilateral ties.
• Strategic Balancing Against Gulf Powers
  • Turkey, alongside Qatar, competes with Saudi Arabia and the UAE for influence in the Muslim world.
  • It seeks alternative alliances with non-Gulf states like Pakistan and Malaysia.
  • The 2019 Kuala Lumpur Summit, supported by Pakistan and Turkey, was viewed as an attempt to challenge Saudi leadership.
• Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Engagement
  • Turkey is expanding its presence in the IOR:
    • Established its largest overseas military base in Somalia (2017).
    • Sold Baykar TB2 drones to Maldives (2024).
  • Turkey has held numerous naval exercises with Pakistan’s Navy, the second-largest in the IOR, while avoiding similar engagement with India.

Pakistan’s interests in Turkey

• Diplomatic Support on Kashmir
  • Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
  • In February 2025, President Erdoğan reiterated solidarity with “Kashmiri brothers,” prompting a diplomatic protest from India.
  • Pakistan acknowledges Turkey, along with China and Azerbaijan, as its key international supporters during crises.
• Deepening Defence Cooperation
  • Turkey has become Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier (after China) as of 2020.
  • Defence ties trace back to 1988 via the Military Consultative Group framework.
  • Recent acquisitions from Turkey include:
    • Bayraktar drones
    • Kemankes cruise missiles
    • Asisguard Songar drones
• Naval Modernisation and Strategic Collaboration
  • Turkey plays a critical role in modernizing Pakistan’s naval capabilities, in line with Ankara’s Indian Ocean strategy.
    • $1 billion deal in 2018 for four advanced corvettes by STM Defence Technologies.
    • Mid-life upgrades of Agosta 90B submarines by Turkey’s STM — replacing French firm DCNS.

Turkey–Pakistan relationship and India

• Turkey’s Consistent Support to Pakistan on Kashmir
  • Turkey’s repeated support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue has long strained India-Turkey ties.
  • In 2013, the then Indian Foreign Minister criticized Turkey’s actions, urging it not to forge friendships “at India’s expense.”
  • Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance continues despite India’s gestures, such as humanitarian aid after the 2023 earthquake.
• India’s Strategic Counters to the Turkey-Pakistan Nexus
  • Eastern Europe: Support to Cyprus and Greece
    • India backs the Greece-supported Republic of Cyprus, in opposition to Turkey and Pakistan’s support for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
    • Greece reciprocates by supporting India’s stance on Kashmir.
• South Caucasus: Military Alliance with Armenia
• India has become Armenia’s top arms supplier, surpassing even Russia by 2024.
• This aligns India against Azerbaijan, which is militarily backed by Turkey and Pakistan.
• In 2024, Pakistan signed a $1.6 billion arms deal with Azerbaijan, and held a trilateral summit with Turkey and Azerbaijan.
• Divergence in Global Strategic Alignments
  • Pakistan is increasingly isolated in US foreign policy, with no mention in the 2022 Indo-Pacific Strategy, while India featured prominently.
  • India's growing ties with the US reflect its rise as a strategic Indo-Pacific partner, further distancing Islamabad.
• Competing Infrastructure Visions
  • India’s IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) bypasses Turkey, weakening Ankara’s historical role as a bridge between Asia and Europe.
  • Turkey has criticized IMEC and is now pushing its own “Iraq Development Road” project as a rival.