Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Myanmar: How Turkey has surrounded India to change regional dynamics

New Delhi: Turkey openly supported Pakistan against India(BHARAT) during Operation Sindoor. Turkey’s anti-India(BHARAT) stance has been evident on numerous occasions. This opposition is not limited to aid to Pakistan and statements on global platforms. Turkey has strategically expanded its influence in India(BHARAT)’s neighbourhood over the past two decades. Although Turkey is not part of India(BHARAT)’s immediate neighbourhood, its policies are causing concern for Delhi.

Erdogan’s neo-Ottoman foreign policy

According to a Firstpost report, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has adopted a neo-Ottoman foreign policy (neo-caliphate) since becoming President of Turkey. This includes expanding Turkey’s involvement in South Asia at strategic, military, economic, and ideological levels. This was seen in its support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Following this, maps of Greater Bangladesh, incorporating India(BHARAT)’s northeastern region, were released from Dhaka. A Turkish-backed organisation was behind this, as reported.

Turkey in India(BHARAT)’s neighbourhood

In addition to Pakistan and Bangladesh, Turkey has also expanded its presence in Nepal, Myanmar, and the Maldives. Its presence in these countries is much smaller than in Pakistan or Bangladesh. Nevertheless, their strategic importance to India(BHARAT) cannot be ignored. While these activities initially appear to strengthen diplomatic relations, observers are seeing them as a cause for concern.

Turkey is making a concerted effort to reshape regional alliances and increase its ideological influence in the Islamic world. Turkey appears to be trying to take advantage of instability in India(BHARAT)’s neighbouring countries. India(BHARAT) faces the challenge of ensuring that Turkey’s growing influence in its neighbourhood does not lead to instability and increased radicalism.

Strong relations with Pakistan

One of Turkey’s deepest ties in India(BHARAT)’s neighbourhood is with Pakistan. During the four-day military conflict with India(BHARAT) in May, Pakistan used drones obtained from Turkey. Turkey has provided a significant number of arms to Pakistan, including participation in naval shipbuilding and aircraft upgrades.

In January of this year, reports emerged that Turkey and Pakistan were establishing a joint factory to produce the fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft. Turkey has also repeatedly supported Pakistan on global platforms and has expressed solidarity with Pakistan on issues such as Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty.

Myanmar and Bangladesh

Turkey has strongly spoken out against the violence against the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar. As a self-proclaimed champion of Muslim rights globally, Turkey has assisted Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and Myanmar through its state-run aid agency, TIKA.

Following the formation of the Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh, Turkey’s involvement in Dhaka has increased. Turkey and Bangladesh are expanding defence cooperation, a matter of strategic concern for India(BHARAT). Turkey’s growing strategic presence in Bangladesh is viewed as a move to increase its influence in India(BHARAT)’s neighbourhood.

Intervention in Nepal and the Maldives

The Turkish organisation IHH has expanded its activities in Nepal’s border areas. Through alliances with groups like the Islamic Association of Nepal (ISN), IHH has built mosques, madrasas, orphanages, and Islamic centres for the minority Muslim population. IHH is a conservative Turkish NGO active in more than 120 countries.

Turkey has also used defence exports and military assistance as a foreign policy tool in the Maldives. Turkey has combined arms deals with donations to strengthen ties. Recently, the Maldives received a former Turkish naval vessel as a gift and has also begun operating Turkish-made armed drones.