Why India Is Closely Monitoring Turkey’s Growing Defence Footprint in Bangladesh

Geopolitical illustration of India and Bangladesh showing regional defence dynamics linked to Turkey’s military outreach.

New Delhi:
India is carefully assessing Turkey’s expanding defence engagement with Bangladesh, viewing it as a development with potential long-term strategic implications for regional security. While China remains India’s primary strategic competitor in South Asia, Indian policymakers and security analysts appear more alert to Turkey’s growing footprint in Dhaka, citing concerns related to geography, ideology, and emerging military cooperation patterns.

Experts say the issue is not about Bangladesh’s sovereign right to diversify its defence partnerships, but about how Turkey’s model of defence diplomacy differs from that of other external players, particularly China.

A Strategic Shift Drawing Attention

Turkey has, in recent years, increased its defence outreach across South Asia, Central Asia, and parts of Africa. This expansion includes military training programmes, defence-industrial cooperation, drone exports, and broader security partnerships. Bangladesh has emerged as one of the countries engaging more actively with Ankara, particularly in areas related to military cooperation and defence technology.

Indian officials have not publicly criticised this engagement. However, strategic analysts note that New Delhi is paying close attention to the nature and trajectory of Turkey’s involvement, especially given Bangladesh’s geographical proximity to India and its importance in New Delhi’s eastern security calculus.

China’s Presence: A Familiar Strategic Challenge

China has long been a significant defence supplier to Bangladesh. Beijing provides military equipment ranging from naval platforms and armoured vehicles to missiles and aircraft. Over decades, this relationship has become an established feature of the regional security landscape.

According to defence experts, India views China as a “known challenge” rather than an unpredictable one.

“India has spent years developing diplomatic, military, and intelligence mechanisms to manage China’s presence in its neighbourhood,” a former Indian military official explained. “Chinese defence cooperation is largely transactional and state-centric. It does not usually involve ideological outreach or domestic political narratives.”

China’s approach in Bangladesh is primarily driven by strategic and economic interests, including arms exports, infrastructure development, and regional connectivity. Importantly for India, Beijing avoids overt involvement in religious or ideological issues within Bangladesh.

Turkey’s Approach: Defence Plus Ideology

Turkey’s defence diplomacy, analysts argue, operates on a different model.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ankara has increasingly combined military cooperation with political messaging and cultural outreach. Turkey has positioned itself as a leader among Muslim-majority nations, frequently linking its foreign policy to broader ideological narratives.

This distinction is central to India’s concerns.

“Turkey does not separate defence engagement from political and ideological influence,” said a South Asia security analyst. “Its outreach often blends military cooperation with soft power tools such as media influence, religious networks, and political discourse.”

India has taken note of Turkey’s outspoken positions on issues such as Kashmir, which Ankara has raised on international platforms. China, by contrast, has generally avoided public ideological commentary on India’s internal matters.

Bangladesh’s Geographic Sensitivity

Bangladesh holds a uniquely sensitive position in India’s security environment. The two countries share more than 1,600 kilometres of land borders, touching India’s eastern and northeastern states. The region includes the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor—often referred to as India’s “Chicken’s Neck”—which connects the northeastern states to the rest of the country.

Any expansion of foreign military influence in Bangladesh is therefore closely scrutinised in New Delhi.

“Geography matters,” noted a former Indian diplomat. “Defence partnerships in Bangladesh have direct implications forIndia’s border security, intelligence dynamics, and regional stability.”

Analysts stress that India’s concern is not hypothetical militarisation, but the long-term strategic consequences of external military ecosystems developing close to Indian territory.

Focus on Drones and Emerging Technologies

One of the key areas attracting attention is Turkey’s defence-industrial expertise, particularly in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Turkish drones, such as the Bayraktar series, have gained international prominence following their use in conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and the Middle East. These systems are viewed as cost-effective, combat-proven platforms capable of significantly enhancing surveillance and precision-strike capabilities.

If Bangladesh were to expand cooperation with Turkey in this area, experts say it could alter regional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) dynamics.

“The concern is not about Bangladesh acquiring modern capabilities,” said a defence analyst. “It is about the operational doctrines, training frameworks, and data-sharing practices that often accompany such systems.”

The presence of foreign advisors, long-term technical teams, or shared data architectures is seen as strategically more consequential than the hardware itself.

The Turkey–Pakistan Dimension

Another factor influencing Indian assessments is Turkey’s close defence relationship with Pakistan.

Ankara and Islamabad maintain extensive military cooperation, including joint exercises, naval collaboration, and defence-industrial projects. Turkey has also been among the more vocal supporters of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir.

Some Indian analysts see the possibility—though not inevitability—of informal strategic convergence involving Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. While Bangladesh has historically pursued a balanced and independent foreign policy, India remains cautious about emerging alignments that could gradually reshape regional dynamics.

China, analysts note, does not pursue religious or ideological alignment among Muslim-majority states and avoids forming political blocs based on identity.

India’s Diplomatic Calculus

India has responded to these developments with restraint rather than confrontation. New Delhi continues to strengthen its own relationship with Bangladesh through trade, connectivity projects, energy cooperation, and people-to-people ties.

Defence cooperation between India and Bangladesh has also expanded, including training exchanges and military dialogue. Indian officials consistently emphasise mutual trust and regional stability as the foundation of bilateral ties.

“India’s strategy is to remain engaged, not reactive,” said a senior policy observer. “Vigilance does not mean hostility.”

A Broader Regional Context

Turkey’s growing presence in South Asia reflects a broader trend of middle powers expanding their strategic reach beyond traditional regions. For India, this underscores the increasingly complex nature of regional geopolitics, where influence is exercised not only through military strength but also through technology, narratives, and partnerships.

Security experts argue that India’s attention to Turkey’s role in Bangladesh should be seen as part of normal strategic risk assessment rather than a sign of heightened tension.

“In today’s environment, influence is multidimensional,” said a strategic affairs scholar. “Countries must evaluate not just who is present, but how and why they are present.”

Conclusion: Strategic Vigilance Without Alarm

India’s monitoring of Turkey’s defence engagement with Bangladesh reflects strategic caution shaped by geography, ideology, and evolving military technologies. China remains India’s principal long-term strategic competitor, but its role in Bangladesh is well understood and factored into New Delhi’s planning.

Turkey, by contrast, represents a newer actor whose defence diplomacy blends military cooperation with broader political narratives. This combination, experts say, warrants closer scrutiny—particularly in a country as strategically significant to India as Bangladesh.

For now, Indian policymakers appear focused on maintaining stability, strengthening bilateral ties with Dhaka, and ensuring that regional security remains balanced. As South Asia’s strategic landscape continues to evolve, New Delhi’s approach suggests an emphasis on preparedness, engagement, and long-term strategic clarity rather than immediate confrontation.

 

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