Turkey’s Arms Ban on India: Strengthening Ties with Pakistan
In a move shrouded in secrecy, Turkey has enacted a comprehensive embargo on the export of weapons and defence-related items to India, a decision underscored by its steadfast support for Pakistan, India’s principal adversary in South Asia. This development, which carries profound geopolitical and economic implications, was discreetly sanctioned during a confidential session of the Turkish Parliament. The revelation of this clandestine policy emerged from a session of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on 10th July 2024. According to the meeting minutes, Mustafa Murat Şeker, the deputy chairman of Turkey’s Defence Industry Agency (SSB), inadvertently disclosed the government’s covert stance on India. Şeker highlighted the sensitivity of the issue, stating unequivocally that no military-related items have been approved for export to India. Despite concerns about potential fallout if the decision were to become public, Şeker confirmed the existence of the embargo. His rema...