Conference to focus on re-setting India-Türkiye relations

By Shweta Aggarwal Amid the shifting geopolitical landscape and new power equations emerging in the region, experts from leading think tanks of India and Türkiye will exchange perspectives to enhance mutual understanding and knowledge at a two-day conference in Ankara, the first of its kind initiative to build bridges between the two rising powers. The international conference titled, “Türkiye-India Relations: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives,” will be held in Ankara on February 26-27. The conference has been organised by Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA), Ankara and New Delhi-based International Dialogue and Diplomacy Foundation (IDDF), in partnership with the Embassy of India in Turkey. “Türkiye and India have long shared historical and cultural ties, but in today’s rapidly changing world, there are even more opportunities for collaboration in areas including trade, security, and global governance. This conference is a chance to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and find new ways to work together for a better future,” said Dr. Nebi Miş, General Coordinator, SETA Foundation.

“The conference is supported by the Indian embassy in Turkey as part of its diplomatic outreach programme. It signifies the growing importance of both India and Türkiye in global affairs,” Mr Muktesh Pardeshi, India’s Ambassador to Türkiye, told India Writes Network. Ambassador Berris Ekinci, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Türkiye and Mr Pardeshi will deliver keynote speech at the conference.

Eminent experts from India such as C. Raja Mohan, Anil Trigunayat and Prof. Aftab Kamal Pasha, Nandan Unnikrishnan, Kabir Taneja and Manish Chand will share their perspective on various facets of India-Türkiye relations at the two-day conference. Turkish experts who will speak at the conference include, among others, Dr. Omair Anas, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University (AYBU), Prof. Gürol Baba, ASBU, Social Sciences University of Ankara, Prof. Mehmet Özkan, National Defense University, Istanbul. India-Türkiye economic relations continue to deepen and diversify despite differences over sovereignty issues such as Kashmir. Turkish companies are looking at new opportunities in infrastructure projects in India. A Turkish company, Savronik, has been given the contract for tech support in the Atal Tunnel Highway project in India’s Jammu and Kashmir. Indian companies have invested US$ 107 million in Türkiye, while Turkish companies have invested US$ 227.45 million in India, according to DPIIT, India. Bilateral trade is estimated to be around $14 billion.

“The Türkiye-India Conference represents a significant step forward in understanding bilateral relations between the two nations, which are tied by rich historical ties and a promising future. By facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and exchange, the conference should emerge as a forum for free and fair discussions and cooperation between the two countries’ academic and research communities towards building new bridges and confident interactions,” said a concept note to the conference.