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TOPIC: General Studies 2
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests
In news: The visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was expected to open a new page in bilateral relations between India and Turkey. Traditionally the relations have not been so close mainly because on issues of mutual concern, both countries have displayed a lack of sensitivity.
The agenda of the visit was to focus on 3 things- improving trade; enhancing two-way flow of investments; and establishing closer counter-terrorism cooperation.
Turkey’s stand on Kashmir
Just before coming to India, President Erdogan said that ‘a multilateral role could be envisaged for mediation in the issue of J&K’. Before making this statement, Turkish President should have been advised upon India’s strong position on this issue which says that India would discuss and resolve the issue of Kashmir bilaterally and it doesn’t want any third party intervention.
But there can be another possibility to such statement- The Turkish President is trying to find an international role for himself and in that context he thought that this would be a good way to begin.
However, the president has to realise that his credibility in India is not at the top. He has always sided with Pakistan. So he cannot project himself as an honest broker.
Three issues will always be asked when it comes to deepen India-Turkey relations.
The connection points
Thus, there are number of fields in which both the countries can cooperate and can be joint ventures. Attempts are made to improve relations between two countries. Top leaders are visiting each other’s countries regularly.
Changing times
Last time President Erdogan came to India in 2008 as PM. At that time, Turkey was viewed as middle power, growing economically and secular democracy. Turkey appeared a moderate and progressive Islamic state, and prospects for EU membership were bright. However, post Arab Spring, Turkish Policy adopted a blend of pan-Islamism and neo-Ottomanism. The April referendum on the ‘controversial’ constitutional amendment bill that proposes to change the existing parliamentary form of government to a presidential system has been passed. Turkish and international observers alike have argued that Erdoğan’s growing authoritarian behaviour, coupled with the clamp down on dissent and freedom of speech and suppression of media and civil society, are pushing Turkey towards autocracy.
In the end
Despite the major differences over the Turkish position on Kashmir, there are some common grounds for both the countries to take their relationship forward. The bonding between Modi and Erdoğan has played a role in advancing relations. Both sides had then expressed the desire to realize trade and business potentials. Turkey’s support for the UNSC reform as well as India’s bid for a UNSC seat reflects mutual concerns about global affairs. Thus both the countries can go forward to tap the possibilities for business, trade and investments along with counter-terrorism cooperation. However, it is difficult to anticipate the association taking off instantly, given the history of relationship between two countries and present stand on various critical issues.
Connecting the dots: