Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations
Context
- India and Türkiye held the 12th round of Foreign Office Consultations (FoC) after a gap of four years, indicating efforts to revive strained bilateral relations.
Background
- Türkiye, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at international forums.
- Relations worsened during Operation Sindoor, where Türkiye supported Pakistan militarily and diplomatically.
- India responded by excluding Türkiye from diplomatic briefings and witnessing public calls to boycott Turkish tourism and trade.
- Consequences: Indian tourist arrivals to Türkiye declined by 37% in June 2025 compared to the previous year.
- Bilateral trade between India and Türkiye decreased to $8.71 billion, reflecting a significant contraction in economic engagement.
Global Dynamics Shaping Relations
- Türkiye has been actively involved in regional diplomatic initiatives, including consultations with countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
- India has also recently engaged with Azerbaijan despite earlier tensions over its support to Pakistan.
- India’s outreach to countries like China and Malaysia indicates a broader recalibration of its foreign policy approach.
- These developments reflect India’s willingness to engage pragmatically with countries despite past disagreements.
Significance of Türkiye for India
- Türkiye occupies a strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which makes it important for India’s connectivity and geopolitical outreach.
- Türkiye holds significance in multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the G20, where cooperation can support India’s global interests.
- Türkiye’s role in the Islamic world makes it relevant for India in managing its diplomatic engagement with Muslim-majority countries.
Brief on India-Türkiye Relations
- Economic Relations: The Bilateral Trade Agreement between India and Turkey was signed in 1973.
- It was followed by an Agreement on setting up an India–Turkey Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation (JCETC) in 1983.
- Bilateral trade has shown significant growth, crossing USD 10 billion in 2021–22 and reaching approximately USD 13.88 billion in 2022–23.
- Institutional Framework of Bilateral Engagement: India and Türkiye institutionalized Foreign Office Consultations in 2000 to ensure regular diplomatic dialogue.
- The Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism provides a platform for security cooperation, with its last meeting held in 2019.
- The India–Türkiye Policy Planning Dialogue, launched in 2020, strengthens strategic coordination between the two countries.
- Humanitarian Assistance: India launched Operation Dost in 2023 to assist Türkiye after devastating earthquakes.
- The Indian diaspora in Türkiye is estimated to be around 3,000 individuals.
Challenges in Bilateral Relations
- Differences over the Kashmir issue continue to remain a major source of friction.
- Türkiye’s close strategic relationship with Pakistan poses challenges to trust-building.
- Past military and diplomatic support to Pakistan has created a perception gap in India.
- Domestic political narratives and leadership statements continue to influence bilateral ties.
Concluding remarks
- India–Türkiye engagement reflects a pragmatic shift in diplomacy, where managing differences takes precedence over confrontation.
- In a fragmented global order, such engagements help maintain strategic autonomy and stability in international relations.
Source: TH
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