Organisation Of Turkic State and India-Turkey Relation

Organisation Of Turkic State and India- Turkey Relations

Organization of Turkic states is an intergovernmental organization which was framed in 2009 with the aim of promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic state.

• It is constructed on four main themes of common history, common language, common identity, and common culture.
• Recently in the Istanbul Summit the organization has been renamed as the Organization of Turkic State from Turkic Council.
• MEMBERS: The founding four member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.
• Hungary was given observer status in the 6 summits in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2018.
• In the 7-summit held in Baku, Uzbekistan joined as a full member. Turkmenistan joined as an observer member in the 8 summits.

PRINCILE OF THE ORGANIZATION

• It is committed to the purpose and principle of the charter of the United Nation and various universally recognized principle and rule of international law which also include sovereign equality, territorial integrity as well as maintenance of international peace.
• Though it brings together a particular group of countries, the organization does not take an exclusive approach. The organization also cooperate with its neighboring state and it does not limit itself with in the frame of its member state in order to ensure peace and stability.

WHAT IS PAN TURKISM?

 Pan Turkism is not new ideology it was originated back in mid-19 century. When campaign for uniting Turkic people in Russia gained traction later on which spread into many geographical areas. There slogan was “where there is Turk, there is turkey “

TURKEY GROWING IN CENTRAL ASIA

• In soft power like education, culture and religion turkey profile have been changing rapidly in much positive manner which is generating new bond with the religion elites.
• Nearly more than 5000 Turkish companies work in Central Asia with annual trade in that region is around $10 billion which show turkey has strengthen the connectivity with Central Asia through the Caucasus.
•  Turkey has also made impressive progress in building transportation corridors to Central Asia and beyond to China, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
• Turkey has also strengthened its military power by singing agreement for wide ranging defense and security cooperation with country like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Geo-political Importance of Turkey

• The Turkic state initiative has been backed by western countries as Turkey may balance China’s growing presence in Central Asia.
• After U.S withdrawal Turkey along with Qatar and UAE Offer promise for peaceful political transition in Afghanistan.
• Turkey has offered 3+3mechanism to create a zone of peace along with Russia, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, after helping Azerbaijan reclaim its territories from Armenia control.
• Both Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to open its Zangezur Corridor and giving access to Turkey. This will help Turkey to Connect directly with Central Asia bypassing Iran.
• Turkey and Russia emerged as major player in establishing peace and stability in Libya.
• Turkey having friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine and can acts as a key player to push for ceasefire agreement between the countries.

India – Turkey Relations

India -Turkey shares an unending history of civilization and lots of historical commonality in the making of their state and society and share fundamental values of democracy and rule of law.

Historical Ties

• Ottoman -Indian embassies continued to reciprocate and exchange their ties since the Admiral of Ottoman Sultan Suleyman accidental visit to India’s coast of Gujarat in 1955.
• Turkey was also a safe transit point for Indian revolutionaries Travelling from India to Europe.
• In 1920 India’s Non-cooperation Movement extended its support towards the British unjust domination over religious sentiments of Turkey.
• The formal diplomatic set up between the country was formed way back in 1948 just after India’s Independence.

Economic Ties

• India Turkey has a bilateral Trade of worth USD 10 billion in 2021-2022.

• Increasing Involvement of Turkish engineers, consultant, investment in many Indian Government as well as private projects . Example Turkey company Savroninik helped in construction of tunnel in India’s Leh -Manali highway.
• India has awarded Turkey with a contract of naval shipbuilding worth $2.3 billion.
• Indians are now the third -largest Asian tourists in Turkey after China and Indonesia.
• Indian business of food to technology is continuously increasing in Turkey. Also Indian companies are present in Turkey’s automobile, pharma and IT sector.

Geo -Political Ties

• Turkey and India have a shared interest in Central Asia, Africa and West Asia.
• With equally good relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan Turkey could help India to reboot its Eurasia connectivity outlook.
• India and Turkey have no difference in international issues including climate change, reforms in United Nations, maritime security and The Indo -pacific and trade and investment.
• India as one of the biggest importer of defence material in world could help Turkey look beyond its traditional military ties with Pakistan and  NATO countries .

 Cultural &People to People ties

• Turkey is now emerging as a favored choice for destination wedding for Indian couples.

• Turks constitute one of the biggest viewers of India Tv program in entire West Asia.

Differences between India and Turkey

Pakistan casts the largest shadow over India-Turkey relations.

• Turkey excluded India from Turkey led dialogue on Afghanistan in 2010 and also attempts to block India’s membership to Nuclear Supplier Group due to Pakistan’s pressure.
• Turkey is also one of the few countries (along with Malaysia and China) that supports Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force, allowing Pakistan to escape FATF blacklisting as counter to India.
• Turkey has also been supporting Pakistan against India in Kashmir Issue. Since Abrogation of Article 370 by Indian Government, Turkey was first to raise Kashmiri issues on in United Nation General Assembly and on various international platform.
• In response India also cancelled its $2.3 billion naval deal with Turkish defence company.
• Meanwhile India pushed is relationship with Armenia by securing a$40 million defense deal of supplying the RADAR SWATHI to Armenia. This deal has a strategic importance to counter increasing hostility of Turkey by entering into the geo-political issue of Turkey indirectly. Similar deal by India has also been extended to Greece and Cyprus. (Enemy’s enemy is your friend as advocated by Indian Strategist Chanakya).
• India also raised the issue and condemned Turkey’s offensive military action against the Kurds and urged to respect’s Syria sovereignty and territorial integrity.

India looks its foreign relations from the point of view of nation-state rather than religious communities and also expects Muslim dominant countries like Turkey to put national interest first.