To commemorate the occasion of Eid-al-Adha, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conducted a virtual meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi. During the meeting, they spoke on improving and expanding the Turkish-Pakistani diplomatic friendship. A statement by the Pakistani Prime Minister’s office said: “The Pakistan-Turkey strategic relationship is underpinned by unique mutual trust, understanding and close cooperation.”
Turkey’s friendly relations with Pakistan have been surging recently, with the two countries strengthening their military partnerships over the past few years. Further, Imran Khan was the first and one of the most vocal supporters of Turkey’s controversial decision to convert the Hagia Sophia into a mosque.
The keaders discussed Pakistan’s Kashmir issue with India, and Erdogan highlighted his renewed support for Pakistan on the subject. A tweet by the Pakistani President’s office said, “President Arif Alvi and President Erdogan exchanged Eidul Azha greetings in a telephonic conversation. Important matters, including Kashmir and Covid-19, were discussed.” Another tweet read, “The Turkish President assured that his country would continue to support Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir as both brotherly countries have similar goals.”
The conversation comes in preparation for the first anniversary of India’s decision to revoke Article 370, the constitutional provision that grants Kashmir with a special status. The Pakistani leaders expressed their desire to “commemorate” the day of the decision, which is August 5, as “Yaum-i-Istesal” or “the Day of Exploitation.”
Imran Khan has also been pressuring Turkey to use its leverage in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)—the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), widely considered to represent the collective voice of Muslim countries—to advocate Pakistan’s position on Kashmir. During a virtual meet conducted in May, Pakistan’s UN Ambassador, Munir Akram, called on members to take action against India for promoting an Islamophobic agenda. He recommended setting-up of a “small informal working group” whose focus will be to take action against India in the UN. However, this recommendation was rejected by the Maldives, whose representative said that it would be inappropriate to “single out” India for rising Islamophobia. Maldives’ support for India was echoed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Oman, one of India’s closest partners in the Gulf, believed the issue to be India’s internal affairs. In the past, the Pakistan-Turkey-Malaysia trio has vehemently opposed India before several platforms, including the UN. While Turkey had backed Pakistan in its stand against India, Malaysia did not come forward with the same vigour as it did in the past.
Also Read: Maldives Backs India at OIC Meet, Rejects Pakistan’s Charge of Islamophobia
During his conversation with Erdogan, PM Imran Khan reiterated the commitment made by the two countries during the High-Level Strategic Council (HLSC) meeting in February, following which Erdogan has expressed similar support to Pakistan against India’s actions in Kashmir. Following this, India firmly rejected Turkey’s criticism, and insisted that Erdogan “develop proper understanding of the facts.” Moreover, India said that the issue was one that dealt with India’s “internal affairs”.
As Pakistan’s relationship with Turkey grows, India has recently evolved to be highly critical of Turkey. Last week, in what seems like a featured press release from an anonymous and unverifiable source, Hindustan Times published an article quoting a senior government official who alleged that New Delhi is growing wary of Turkey’s increasing “anti-India activities” and is reportedly being considered as an enemy “next only to Pakistan”. The HT piece also makes a sweeping claim that Turkey is inviting radicalized Indians and Kashmiris for training sessions before sending them back. While there is, again, no public evidence for this, it is true that Indian officials have questioned Kashmiris returning from Turkey separately about details of their visits because “relations are now bad between India and Turkey”.
India has also subtly indicated its irritation with Turkey. For instance, when Erdogan brought up Kashmir at the UN General Assembly, Modi held meetings at the sidelines with the leaders of Cyprus, Armenia, and Greece, who all have disputes with Ankara. The Indian PM also cancelled his October 2019 visit to Turkey, apart from cutting defence exports, and reducing overall imports from the country. The MEA, however, has maintained utmost diplomacy and been tactical in its responses towards Ankara.
Also Read: Does New Delhi Really Think Turkey is Funding ‘Anti-India’ Activities?