What happened?
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit today (February 13, 2025) aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. During his visit, discussions will focus on expanding trade, deepening defence cooperation, and strengthening ties in business and technology. Erdogan expressed his hope that the visit would further solidify the longstanding friendship between Turkey and Pakistan, particularly within the Islamic world.
Why it matters to India:
Erdogan’s visit to Pakistan is significant for India due to Turkiye’s longstanding support for Pakistan, particularly in the context of Kashmir. Turkiye has historically aligned with Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, which has caused diplomatic friction with India. Additionally, with Turkiye strengthening its relationship with Pakistan in defence and trade, this alignment could lead to a more influential role for Turkiye in the region, which will have long-term implications for India’s strategic interests. With increasing defence collaboration and trade between Turkey and Pakistan, India may view these developments with concern, particularly as they relate to regional security and geopolitical alignment in South Asia.
