Why Turkey is Trying to Improve Relations with India: Is Türkiye now trying to improve its relations with India? Is Pakistan factor and economic pressure the main reason behind this? Is Ankara making major changes in its foreign policy? Know what could be the 5 major reasons behind the softening of Türkiye-India relations?
Turkey India Relations: The turmoil in the relations between India and Türkiye has once again intensified. After the recent statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the discussion has deepened whether Türkiye now wants to give a new direction to relations with India. But the question is why this sudden change? Is this just diplomatic language or are there deeper strategic reasons behind it? According to analysts, this effort of Türkiye is part of a balanced foreign policy, where it is trying to fulfill its interests between India, Pakistan and West Asia. Know 5 reasons due to which Türkiye is trying to improve its relations with India.
1. Economic crisis is the biggest reason
Türkiye is currently going through severe economic pressure. Inflation, currency instability and lack of investment have also affected its foreign policy. In such a situation, a big and fast growing market like India has become very important for Türkiye.
2. Opportunities in India’s huge market
India has become one of the largest economies in the world. Türkiye is now exploring opportunities here in trade, tourism and technology sectors. This is the reason why Ankara is trying to adopt the path of cooperation with India instead of confrontation.
3. Rebalancing the Pakistan Factor
Türkiye has long been considered a strategic partner of Pakistan, but now it is trying to balance this relationship with India. Despite defense and diplomatic cooperation, Ankara does not want its trade interests with India to be affected.
4. Diplomatic pressure in the Mediterranean
Türkiye’s competition in the Eastern Mediterranean has increased from countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Armenia. India has strengthened defense and strategic cooperation with these countries in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Cyprus and defense agreements have further changed this equation, increasing indirect pressure on Turkey.
5. Defense Diplomacy and Strategic Dialogue
Türkiye now wants to stabilize defense and diplomatic relations by increasing dialogue with India. Even in the recent 12th Foreign Office Consultations (FOC), both the countries stressed on keeping the path of dialogue open. This is a sign that Ankara wants managed relations rather than confrontation.
Have relations between India and Türkiye been controversial before?
Relations between India and Türkiye have not always been smooth. Turkey has on many occasions supported Pakistan’s stand, especially on the Kashmir issue, whose position in international forums has been uncomfortable for India. At the same time, India has also made it clear that relations can progress only when mutual sensitivities are respected. Apart from this, India’s inclination has been towards the countries opposing Turkey on the Eastern Mediterranean dispute and Cyprus issue, which increased the distance in relations. In such a situation, Türkiye’s current stance is not considered a complete change but an attempt at strategic balance. On one hand it wants to maintain old relations with Pakistan, while on the other hand it does not want to lose a big economic partner like India. But lack of trust and old disputes still remain the biggest challenges of this relationship.