Contemporary Perspectives on India Turkey Relations

Описание: A conversation with Rumel Dahiya

Geo-politics remain dynamic particularly so in West Asia as is known in India and more popularly as the Middle East. The interplay of major stakeholders within the region as well as outside, religious and ethnic construct have always played and important role apart from the energy boom that had led to predominance of the oil rich Emirates of the Gulf. Apart from Saudi Arabia and Iran, Turkey is another large state in the region which has played a historical role of influence ever since the rise of the Ottoman Empire. This may have waxed and waned with the flux of regional politics, but today once again Turkey is seeking a larger role due to internal and external factors.

India has key national interest of stability in West Asia reflected by the large migrant and diaspora population as well as the oil and investment flows from the Gulf. Keeping in view the rising role of Turkey in Middle East politics there is a need for understanding the dynamics and how these impact India and Turkey relations. The subject has not attracted much attention despite importance and thus needs some deliberation.

India and Turkey have a long history of socio -religious and cultural connect going back to the 15th Century. In recent years there are a number of facets that have emerged in engagement between the two countries with economic relations including trade and tourism being the focus. Defence relations have included recent efforts to engage defence industry particularly ship building by both sides.

A part of the socio- cultural legacy of relations between India and Turkey has been inherited by Pakistan which has expanded the same through various geo-political and military connects with the two countries forming a part of the U.S. led pacts such as CENTO. Today there are robust relations between the two countries at the political, diplomatic and mainly military level. These are achieving depth despite Pakistan’s alignment with Saudi Arabia.

Given these developments there is a need for outlining some critical factors of India Turkey relations against the backdrop of (1) Turkey’s current regional approach and profile (2) Internal and External Drivers (3) Defence capability (4) Turkey Pakistan relations (5) India Turkey relations.

These will be explored in a one and one engagement with Brig Rumel Dahiya (Retd) who has been the Deputy Director General of the IDSA, head of the Directorate of Net Assessment of HQ Integrated Defence Staff and also a Defence Attache in Turkey during which period he has been exploring developments in the Middle East.

He will be in conversation with Brig Rahul Bhonsle, Director Security Risks Asia.
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