INTERNATIONAL: Pakistan-Turkey Hold High-Level Talks Amid Rising India-Turkey Tensions
Diplomatic Engagement in Istanbul
Amid ongoing geopolitical friction between India and Turkey, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Sunday night.
The bilateral talks come in the wake of growing public resentment in India over Turkey’s diplomatic overtures toward Pakistan, particularly during Operation Sindoor, India’s recent strategic military operation.
Shehbaz Sharif Acknowledges Turkish Support
In a public post following the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif expressed gratitude to Erdogan for Turkey’s political backing during Pakistan’s recent confrontations with India.
“A respectful meeting with my brother Erdogan,” Sharif wrote. “I thanked him for standing with Pakistan during difficult times. We reviewed ongoing trade and investment agreements and committed to enhancing bilateral cooperation.”
Erdogan Vows Deeper Political and Trade Ties
President Erdogan echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical relationship between the two nations.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s intent to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors, stating, “Turkey and Pakistan enjoy a brotherly bond, and we will work towards expanding collaboration in both political and commercial arenas.”
Significance of Timing: Post-Operation Sindoor Context
This marks the first official interaction between the two leaders since India’s Operation Sindoor, a military initiative that drew international attention. Turkey’s perceived diplomatic alignment with Pakistan during that episode led to a public outcry in India, triggering social media campaigns under the banner ‘Boycott Turkey’.
The campaign calls for restrictions on Turkish imports and travel, with heightened scrutiny on Ankara’s foreign policy positioning.
Strategic and Economic Dimensions of the Meeting
During the Istanbul meeting, both leaders focused on reviewing and potentially expanding their bilateral trade and investment portfolio, with emphasis on:
- Defense cooperation
- Infrastructure development
- Renewable energy collaboration
- Strategic diplomatic alignment in multilateral forums
According to regional analysts, this renewed engagement signals a strategic recalibration in South Asian geopolitics.
Public Backlash in India Continues
Back in India, protests and calls for an economic boycott of Turkey continue to trend, particularly on digital platforms. Influencers, policy commentators, and civil society groups have criticized Turkey’s stance as undermining India’s sovereignty and regional stability.
However, official diplomatic channels between New Delhi and Ankara remain open, although strained.