Turkey–Pakistan Alignment Has Limited Impact on India’s Strategic Position: An Analysis
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| Analysts say Turkey’s growing engagement with Pakistan has limited impact on India’s global strategic position. |
New Delhi:
Turkey’s increasing diplomatic and defence engagement with Pakistan has
attracted attention in strategic circles, particularly following Ankara’s
repeated statements on the Kashmir issue and expanding military cooperation
with Islamabad. However, experts note that this alignment is unlikely to significantly affect India’s strategic,
diplomatic, or security interests in the region.
India’s global partnerships, defence
capabilities, and economic trajectory continue to outweigh the influence of
Turkey–Pakistan cooperation, which remains largely regional in scope.
Turkey’s Support for Pakistan: Context and
Motivation
Turkey’s support for Pakistan is shaped by a
combination of political, ideological, and defence-industry considerations.
Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara has positioned itself as an active
voice on issues affecting Muslim-majority regions, including Kashmir.
In parallel, Turkey has expanded defence
exports to Pakistan, including naval platforms, unmanned systems, and training
cooperation. Analysts observe that these engagements serve Turkey’s
defence-industrial ambitions and regional influence rather than representing a
shift in the broader balance of power in South Asia.
Limited Strategic Reach in South Asia
Despite diplomatic statements, Turkey does not
possess direct strategic leverage in South Asia’s security architecture. India
remains the region’s predominant conventional military power, with a
significantly larger defence budget, advanced indigenous production
capabilities, and established deterrence frameworks.
Turkey’s influence remains concentrated in the
Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Caucasus, while India’s strategic
footprint spans the Indo-Pacific, Europe, West Asia, and Africa.
India’s Expanding Global Partnerships
India has continued to strengthen
relationships with key global and regional partners, including the UnitedStates, France, Japan, Australia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. These
partnerships encompass defence cooperation, technology sharing, trade, and
maritime security.
At the same time, India has enhanced
engagement with countries such as Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia—nations that
maintain cautious relations with Turkey—reflecting New Delhi’s broader strategy
of diversified and balanced diplomacy.
Kashmir Issue: Minimal International Impact
Turkey’s statements on Kashmir have not
resulted in any material change in India’s position at international forums.
Major global powers continue to view the issue through a bilateral lens,
consistent with India’s long-standing stance.
Diplomatic observers point out that rhetorical
support without substantive international backing has limited effect on ground
realities or policy outcomes.
Defence Balance Remains in India’s Favour
While Turkey has emerged as a defence supplier
to Pakistan, India’s defence ecosystem remains considerably larger and more
advanced. Indigenous platforms such as fighter aircraft, missile systems, and
naval assets, combined with high-end acquisitions from trusted partners, ensure
India’s qualitative and quantitative edge.
India has also increased defence exports in
recent years, further strengthening its position as a credible security
partner.
Strategic Outlook
Analysts assess that Turkey’s alignment with
Pakistan reflects Ankara’s regional ambitions and domestic political considerations
rather than a coordinated effort to counter India. This approach may limit
Turkey’s long-term engagement with India’s growing market and Indo-Pacific
initiatives.
India’s foreign policy, focused on strategic
autonomy, economic growth, and multi-alignment, continues to provide resilience
against such external alignments.
Conclusion
Turkey’s support for Pakistan, while
diplomatically visible, does not pose a significant challenge to India’s
strategic interests. India’s expanding global partnerships, defence
preparedness, and economic influence ensure that such regional alignments remain
peripheral rather than decisive.
As India continues to strengthen its role on
the global stage, experts suggest that sustained engagement, calibrated
diplomacy, and strategic patience will remain central to safeguarding national
interests.
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