Turkey has always stood by Pakistan, during an Indo-Pak conflict

Turkey supported Pakistan in 1965, 1971

Indians have been very miffed with Turkey and its support of Pakistan during the recently concluded (hopefully) conflict. This has led people to demand boycotting of Turkey for tourism and also revoking security clearance for Turkish ground handling, cargo agency Celebi.

However, if you dig a little into the background you will realise that these two nations have been allies forever and have stood by each other specially when there is a conflict. Turkey supported Pakistan in its earlier wars with India - 1965 and 1971.

Turkey was amongst the first few countries to recognize Pakistan in 1947 and their bilateral ties continued to strengthen ever since.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had expressed support for Pakistan and addressed Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as his “dear brother”. He also said that Turkey would stand by Pakistan “in good times and bad”.

The two nations partner in Defence and conduct joint military exercises. It may be recalled that Turkey supported Pakistan in both its wars with India - 1965 and 1971.

While Pakistan was on Turkey’s side in 1974 when Türkiye militarily intervened to defend the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus after a coup supported by the Greek military junta.

In 2018 a $1.5 billion deal for four MILGEM-class corvettes was signed between them to enhance Pakistan's naval capabilities and promote technology transfer. While two are being built in Türkiye and two at being made in Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

Turkish firms Aselsan and Havelsan, Turkish defense company STM have upgraded Pakistan's Agosta 90B submarines.

Besides, Pakistan has acquired Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci combat drones.

“Pakistan and Türkiye are working together to develop the fifth-generation KAAN fighter aircraft, marking a significant milestone,” said a defence expert.

Türkiye also helps to maintain Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet fleet.

Some reports suggest that there have been collaborations in transfer of nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, on the global front both countries are a part of joint treaties like Western security pacts—CENTO, SEATO, and NATO—to promote military cooperation. In 1951, Ankara and Islamabad also signed to promote peace and regional stability. Apart from Cold War alliances and cooperation, Türkiye and Pakistan are also a part of a lot of trilateral and regional initiatives like the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD) formed by Iran, Türkiye, and Pakistan in 1964, particularly to curtail the dependence on Western support.

Türkiye has hosted several trilateral summits to foster regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation, acting as a mediator between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Both Kabul and Islamabad have acknowledged Türkiye's diplomatic efforts, and the process has been institutionalized through frequent follow-up meetings.

So when historically these two nations have been allies, Indians should have little surprise in Turkey’s support for Pakistan in the recent conflict with India.

India should become more astute diplomatically with Turkey and not forget to factor in their ties with Pakistan . Supporting Turkey during Covid, or the earthquake will do little to change their allegiance.