By Mohammad Tarique Saleem
India’s diplomatic engagement with Turkey has increasingly come under strain, reflecting deeper disagreements over Ankara’s foreign policy choices and public positions on sensitive regional issues. While both nations share historical ties and maintain economic relations, New Delhi’s criticism of Turkey in recent years has grown more pronounced, driven largely by concerns over sovereignty, terrorism, and shifting geopolitical alignments.
A key source of tension has been Turkey’s repeated remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at international forums. India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and that matters related to it are strictly internal. Ankara’s attempts to raise the issue at platforms such as the United Nations have been firmly rejected by India, which views such statements as interference in its domestic affairs. Indian officials have reiterated that commentary on internal matters undermines the foundation of mutual respect that bilateral relations require.
Another major point of friction lies in Turkey’s increasingly close strategic alignment with Pakistan. India has long accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism, particularly targeting Indian soil. Turkey’s vocal support for Pakistan on issues concerning Kashmir and regional security has raised concerns in New Delhi. Indian policymakers perceive this alignment as overlooking India’s legitimate security challenges and emboldening narratives that are hostile to India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Beyond South Asia, Turkey’s broader foreign policy approach under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also attracted attention in New Delhi. Ankara’s assertive role in West Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and other regions has at times been seen as confrontational. India, which emphasizes strategic balance, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation, has expressed unease about policies that appear to heighten regional tensions rather than reduce them. As a rising global power, India seeks stability in international relations and expects its partners to uphold similar principles.
Political tensions have also cast a shadow over economic ties. While bilateral trade continues, periodic calls within India to reassess trade and investment engagements with Turkey have surfaced, especially in response to Ankara’s public statements on Kashmir. Though no major economic rupture has occurred, the political climate has undeniably affected the warmth of the relationship.
Importantly, India’s criticism of Turkey is framed within its broader foreign policy doctrine of mutual respect and non-interference. New Delhi has repeatedly emphasized that constructive bilateral relations can only thrive when both sides acknowledge each other’s core concerns. India’s position is not one of hostility, but of clear assertion of its national interests and territorial sovereignty.
Despite the present strains, diplomatic channels remain open. Both India and Turkey are influential regional actors with growing global ambitions. There remains potential for cooperation in trade, tourism, culture, and multilateral forums — provided political sensitivities are handled with care and responsibility.
As India continues to strengthen its global standing, it has become increasingly vocal in defending its sovereignty and security concerns. The future of India-Turkey relations will ultimately depend on whether both nations can recalibrate their approaches and foster a relationship built on trust, respect, and genuine partnership rather than political divergence.
