Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- Turkiye’s support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor pushed ties with India to a low.
- A year later, the two sides are rebuilding their ties through diplomatic engagement and security cooperation.
Background
- Turkiye’s Support for Pakistan on Kashmir: Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Turkish President repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at international forums. Turkiye supported Pakistan’s position and called for UN-led dialogue on Kashmir.
- Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Turkiye criticized India’s Operation Sindoor and termed it “unprovoked aggression.”
- Defence Cooperation with Pakistan: Reports of Pakistan using Turkish-origin drones during Operation Sindoor deepened India’s security concerns.
- Diplomatic and Economic Fallout: India responded through:
- Deepening engagement with Cyprus and Greece.
- Cancellation of Air India’s aircraft maintenance contract with a Turkish firm.
- Suspension of several academic MoUs and the Indian tourist arrival declined by 37% to Turkiye.
Cyprus Question
- Background: Cyprus was a British colony until it gained independence in 1960.
- Its constitution was designed to balance power between Greek Cypriots (majority) and Turkish Cypriots (minority).
- Tensions emerged between the two communities over governance.
- Greek Cypriots favored Enosis (union with Greece), while Turkish Cypriots sought Taksim (partition).
- Coup: A Greek-backed coup attempted to annex Cyprus to Greece.
- In response, Turkiye invaded Cyprus, citing its rights as a guarantor power under the 1960 Treaty of Guarantee.
- Turkiye occupied about 37% of the northern part of the island.
- Since 1974 Cyprus has been divided between Turkiye-backed Northern Cyprus and the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus, and the dispute has been known as the Cyprus question.
- Since 1974, Cyprus remains de facto divided:
- Republic of Cyprus in the south (internationally recognized, EU member since 2004).
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the north which is only recognized by Turkiye.
Recent Engagements between Both Nations
- Revival of Diplomatic Dialogue: India and Turkiye resumed Foreign Office Consultations in April 2026 after a four-year gap. Discussions covered areas such as trade and investment, tourism, technology and innovation, energy cooperation, counter-terrorism and security.
- Security Cooperation: Turkiye facilitated the deportation of fugitive narcotics trafficker Salim Dola to India. Both countries are reportedly cooperating on additional extradition requests.
- Economic Realities: Turkiye realized that India is a major economic partner with bilateral trade exceeding $10 billion annually.
- India is an important market for Turkish exports such as machinery, marble, and agricultural products.
- Turkish firms seek opportunities in India’s infrastructure and construction sectors.
- Tourism and investment ties are economically significant.
India’s Interest in Re-engagement with Turkiye
- Strategic Geographical Location: Türkiye acts as a bridge between Europe, West Asia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Its location makes it important for India’s connectivity, trade, and energy security interests.
- Important Economic Partner: Bilateral trade exceeds $10 billion annually, India exports chemicals, textiles, automobiles, machinery, and pharmaceuticals to Türkiye.
- Securing Trade Routes: Maintaining ties with Turkiye provides India flexibility amid uncertainties surrounding the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Influence in the Islamic World: Constructive relations help India strengthen engagement with West Asian and Islamic countries.
- Assurance from Turkiye: Turkiye reportedly clarified that military cooperation with Pakistan was part of existing arrangements rather than new assistance during Operation Sindoor and emphasized that it has no bilateral dispute with India.
Way Ahead
- Institutionalise High-Level Dialogue: Regular Foreign Office Consultations, ministerial visits, and strategic dialogues should be maintained to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.
- Expand Economic Engagement: Both countries should focus on increasing trade, investment, tourism, infrastructure cooperation, and business-to-business partnerships, insulating economic ties from political differences.
- Promote People-to-People Contacts: Expanding academic exchanges, cultural diplomacy, tourism, and educational cooperation can create a stronger foundation for long-term bilateral relations.
Conclusion
- The current India–Turkiye rapprochement reflects a pragmatic recognition by both sides that economic and geopolitical interests outweigh the costs of prolonged estrangement.
- However, the durability of this thaw will depend largely on Turkiye’s future approach toward Kashmir and Pakistan, as well as both countries’ ability to compartmentalize differences while expanding areas of cooperation.
Source: IE
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