Why and how is Turkey doubling down on its support for Pakistan

Turkey’s growing alignment with Pakistan — politically, militarily and ideologically — has drawn increasing scrutiny in India.

This strategic partnership has not only matured into a deep defence alliance but has also come at the expense of India-Turkey relations, which continue to deteriorate under the leadership of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Recent developments have brought the growing Islamabad-Ankara nexus into sharper focus, particularly as it begins to manifest not just in rhetoric but on India’s borders.

Turkish drones used by Pakistan against India

On the night of May 8, Indian forces witnessed unprecedented drone intrusions across the northern and western frontiers, with over 300 to 400 unmanned aerial vehicles attempting to cross into Indian territory at 36 different locations, ranging from Leh in the north to Sir Creek in the west.

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Indian authorities have now confirmed that the drones used were the Songar armed drone systems, manufactured by Turkish defence firm Asisguard.

“Preliminary reports suggest they are Asisguard’s Songar drone from Turkey,” stated Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a media briefing.

The Songar drones are designed for low-intensity conflicts and can carry firearms or grenades. Forensic analysis is ongoing, but officials say there is little doubt about the origin of the equipment.

India’s concerns deepened when a Turkish C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft landed at Karachi airport on April 27. Although Ankara claimed it was a routine stop, Indian officials are assessing whether this flight might have delivered the drones used in the attack.

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Adding to suspicions, a high-ranking Turkish military delegation led by Lt. Gen. Yasar Kadioglu reportedly visited the Pakistan Air Force headquarters just three days later.

This discovery has raised alarm bells in New Delhi, not only for the threat posed by the intrusion itself but also for what it reveals about the evolving Turkey-Pakistan defence partnership.

Experts say say all these developments show that it is time for India to corner Turkey diplomatically, strategically and globally, given it is now clear which camp Turkey stands in.

How Turkey has armed Pakistan

The defence collaboration between Turkey and Pakistan is not new but has seen significant acceleration over the past decade.

In 2018, Pakistan signed a $1.5 billion agreement with Turkish state-owned defence firm ASFAT to acquire four MILGEM-class stealth corvettes as part of Turkey’s flagship naval programme. This contract also included technology transfer, with two of the vessels being built at Karachi Shipyard.

The Turkish defence industry has also supported Pakistan’s Air Force and Army modernisation efforts. The Pakistan Air Force has received F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from Turkish Aerospace Industries, and the two countries have been exploring further cooperation in attack helicopters and unmanned aerial systems.

In 2018, Islamabad placed an order for 30 Turkish T129 ATAK helicopters, also valued around $1.5 billion. Although this deal has stalled due to US export license restrictions, both sides continue to seek alternatives.

Recent additions to Pakistan’s military inventory include Turkish Bayraktar TB2 armed UAVs and Kemankes cruise missiles. As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Pakistan received three TB2 drones in 2022.

The newly identified Songar drones represent yet another Turkish contribution to Pakistan’s growing aerial capabilities.

Ankara has also played a pivotal role in modernising Pakistan’s navy. STM Defence Technologies, a leading Turkish firm, is not only involved in building new ships but also handling critical upgrades for Pakistan’s Agosta 90B submarines.

This follows a historical pattern: during the Cold War era, when US sanctions restricted Pakistan’s access to American defence hardware, Turkey stepped in to provide refits for PNS Ghazi, reported The Indian Express.

How Turkey supports Pakistan on Kashmir

Beyond defence, the Turkey-Pakistan partnership thrives on diplomatic and ideological synergy. Under Erdogan, Turkey has consistently echoed Pakistan’s narrative on Kashmir, particularly at global forums like the United Nations General Assembly.

In February, Erdogan asserted, “Turkey, as in the past, stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers today.” India called these remarks “unacceptable” and lodged an official protest.

Following India’s strikes on nine terror camps under 'Operation Sindoor' in Pakistan and PoK after the Pahalgam attack, Erdogan reiterated support for Islamabad during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He praised Pakistan’s “calm and restrained policies” and endorsed its call for an investigation into the Pahalgam incident, a proposal that New Delhi dismissed outright.

“I pray for Allah’s mercy for our brothers who lost their lives in the attacks, and I once again extend my condolences to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan," Erdogan has also said on X (Twitter).

The Turkey-Pakistan diplomatic embrace is further institutionalised through the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Erdogan has visited Pakistan at least 10 times since 2003. In his most recent visit earlier this year, he co-chaired the seventh session of this bilateral body.

How India has responsed to growing Turkey-Pakistan ties

India has not remained a passive observer. Recognising Turkey’s growing involvement in the region through Pakistan, New Delhi has recalibrated its foreign policy. One key element of this is strengthening ties with countries that are either rivals or sceptics of Turkey.

In the Eastern Mediterranean, India has developed robust ties with Greece and Cyprus. In 2021, India and Greece conducted their first joint naval exercises.

India has also voiced strong support for the Republic of Cyprus against Turkish claims in Northern Cyprus. Greece, in return, has backed India’s position on Kashmir.

In the South Caucasus, India has emerged as Armenia’s largest arms supplier by 2024. Yerevan, which faces threats from Azerbaijan — Turkey’s close ally — has turned to India for Pinaka rocket launchers, surveillance radars and anti-tank systems.

These arms deals signify more than military support; they represent a counterweight to the Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan axis.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which bypasses Turkey entirely, has drawn criticism from Ankara. In contrast, Turkey has promoted its rival - the “Iraq Development Road” project.

India’s strategic partnerships with the UAE, Israel and France also serve to hedge against Turkish expansionism, particularly in defence and maritime security.

How India has time and again aided Turkey

The stark divergence in the India-Turkey relationship was highlighted during the 2023 earthquake that devastated parts of Turkey. India promptly launched “Operation Dost,” dispatching relief teams, drones and aid supplies.

Garuda Aerospace’s drones were deployed to assist in rescue efforts, and Indian Air Force aircraft carried essential materials to affected regions.

Despite these gestures, Turkey’s pro-Pakistan stance has remained unchanged. That India’s humanitarian assistance to Turkey after the devastating earthquake of 2023 did not substantially affect Ankara’s outlook towards New Delhi is testament to the strength of the Pakistan factor in India-Turkey relations, experts have said.

Indian tourists represent one of the fastest-growing visitor segments to Turkey. In 2023, about 2.75 lakh Indians travelled to Turkey, and that number surged to 3.25 lakh in 2024.

Direct flights operated by Indian carriers like Indigo have helped bolster this influx. Yet, economic interdependence has not translated into political rapprochement.

Pakistani leadership has visited Turkey numerous times with the latest being Sharif holding talks with the Turkish president on April 22 in Ankara, coincidentally the same day of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Turkey’s support for Pakistan, once largely rhetorical, has taken a strategic and operational dimension that now directly impacts India’s national security. Ankara has positioned itself as Islamabad’s most reliable partner after Beijing.

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With inputs from agencies