Türkiye’s Strategic Embrace of Bangladesh and Pakistan: Balancing India’s Regional Ambitions

Reading Time: 6 minutes As South Asia undergoes significant geopolitical transformation, Türkiye’s expanding defence partnerships with Bangladesh and Pakistan emerge as a carefully calibrated strategy to counterbalance India’s rising influence. More than mere suppliers of military hardware, Ankara and its South Asian partners are forging comprehensive ties that encompass technology transfers, joint defence industrial projects, and diplomatic cooperation. These efforts aim to deepen Turkish footprints in South Asia, empowering Dhaka and Islamabad to assert greater strategic autonomy vis-à-vis Delhi’s regional hegemony. This article examines the historical context, current trajectories, and future prospects of Türkiye’s defence engagement with Bangladesh and Pakistan. It also analyses India’s responses and the broader implications for South Asian security dynamics. Historical Context: Türkiye’s South Asian Engagement Türkiye’s engagement with South Asia dates back decades, initially through cultural and diplomatic channels, but increasingly through defence cooperation since the early 2000s. Pakistan has long been Ankara’s closest partner