On July 20, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied claims that Turkey banned defense exports to India. The MEA called the reports “disinformation.” This comes after media outlets alleged that Turkey took this step to strengthen ties with Pakistan, India’s regional adversary. Turkey’s decision was reportedly a reaction to India terminating a $2 billion shipbuilding contract with a Turkish company in April.
India defence export ban?
Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson for the MEA, addressed the media to dispel the rumours. He stated, “As far as my knowledge and information are concerned, that information is not good. I would suggest you direct this question to the Turkish Embassy for clarification, as the report originated from Turkey. To my understanding, it is disinformation at best.”
Despite the media frenzy, the Turkish government has not issued any official statement regarding the alleged ban. However, an executive from Turkey’s top arms procurement agency, the Presidency of the Defense Industry (SSB), reportedly informed Turkish lawmakers that Ankara has refrained from approving the sale of any military articles to India. The executive cited political circumstances and Turkey’s friendship with Pakistan as reasons behind this stance. “Due to our political circumstances and our friendship with Pakistan, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not give us positive feedback on exporting any products to India, and consequently, we do not grant any permits to our companies in this regard,” the executive reportedly told lawmakers.
Deteriorating India-Turkey Relations
Relations between India and Turkey have deteriorated over the past decade due to Turkey’s support for Pakistan, especially regarding the Kashmir issue. Additionally, Turkey’s closer ties with Pakistan and Azerbaijan and its efforts to counter the India-Iran-Armenia bloc further strained relations with New Delhi.
India’s ties with Greece have strained its relationship with Turkey. Greece has offered to become India’s gateway to Europe as part of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). New Delhi hosted Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, at a fighter base, signaling to Ankara that Athens is a priority for India in the region.
ALSO READ – Climate change threatens global education progress, UNESCO report warns
Implications of Turkey’s Unofficial Ban
The Turkish executive’s statements hint at a de facto blacklisting of India for defence exports, but the impact is expected to be minimal. India has revoked a $2 billion naval deal with a Turkish defence company and stopped defence exports to Turkey. India’s focus on the “Make In India” initiative has significantly grown indigenous arms and ammunition production.
In 2022-23, India’s defense production reached Rs 1,08,684 crore, a substantial increase over the past five years – over 60% since 2019-20, reflecting India’s commitment to enhancing its domestic defense capabilities. Furthermore, defense exports surged to a record-high of Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24, a 32.5% increase from the previous year.
Turkey’s strained relations with India can be attributed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration, which supports Pakistan’s stance against India. According to NordicMonitor, President Erdogan’s paramilitary group, SADAT, led by his former chief military aide Adnan Tanriverdi, has been implicated in anti-India activities.
The group recruited Syed Ghulam Nabi Fai, a Kashmiri-born individual who served time in a US federal prison, to gather resources against India. Fai’s US-based organization, the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), funded by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), collaborated with SADAT’s front organization, the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World (IDSB).
