Mon May 26 11:34:26 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The article discusses Turkiye’s increasingly strong support for Pakistan, particularly in the context of a recent military conflict with India. This support, including alleged military supplies, marks a shift from Turkiye’s previous “Asia Anew” Initiative, prioritizing security over trade in its South Asia policy. This alignment is driven by a shared sense of declining relevance in the Western security architecture, leading both nations to seek stronger alliances. While other Muslim nations remained neutral, Turkiye openly condemned India’s actions and expressed concern about a potential escalation. This pro-Pakistan stance, however, risks antagonizing India, as Turkiye faces a dilemma in balancing relations between the two nations. India’s response includes strengthening ties with Turkiye’s regional rivals and adopting an “India First” foreign policy, which can be interpreted as “India Alone”, potentially isolating itself in the region. The article concludes that India lacks a comprehensive Turkiye policy beyond immediate interests, and may need to leverage relationships with other Muslim nations to counter Turkiye’s growing influence in South Asia.
**News Article:**
**Turkiye’s Unwavering Support for Pakistan Raises Concerns in India**
**Ankara, [Date]** – Turkiye’s steadfast support for Pakistan during a recent military conflict with India has signaled a significant shift in its South Asia policy, prioritizing security over trade and potentially straining relations with New Delhi.
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have claimed Turkish cargo planes delivered military supplies to Pakistan, though Turkish officials have denied these reports. President Erdogan has publicly reiterated Turkiye’s support for Pakistan. These actions represent a departure from Turkiye’s “Asia Anew” Initiative, indicating a “securitized South Asia” approach where Turkish national security is linked to the region.
This alignment comes as both Turkiye and Pakistan navigate a changing global landscape where they feel their relevance to the Western security architecture has diminished. Facing criticism from NATO allies and denied access to key defense technologies, Turkiye finds a valuable partner in Pakistan, its most important defense ally outside NATO.
Turkiye’s vocal condemnation of Indian military actions, deemed “provocative,” stands in contrast to the silence of other Muslim and Arab nations, with the exception of Azerbaijan.
This pro-Pakistan stance, however, comes at a cost. It risks alienating India, which has responded by strengthening ties with Turkiye’s regional rivals like Iran, Greece, Cyprus, the UAE, and Israel. India has also adopted an “India First” foreign policy, a move some analysts interpret as “India Alone,” potentially isolating itself within the region.
Experts suggest India needs a more comprehensive Turkiye policy beyond transactional interests. The country may need to rely on allies within the Arab and Islamic world, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, to discourage Turkiye from its South Asian ambitions.
First Piper 