India, Turkiye to galvanise ties: Indian envoy calls for enhancing investment, defence ties

ANKARA/NEW DELHI: Marking a new momentum in their bilateral ties, India and Türkiye, the two G20 economies and rising powers, are set to intensify their relations across the spectrum, with both sides firming up plans to upscale trade and investment and partnership in emerging areas such as defence, technology and innovation. This mutual desire to galvanise and enhance relations was more than evident at a recent joint conference of think tanks held in the Turkish capital Ankara. Diplomats, scholars and experts were unanimous in expressing the urgent need to turn over a new leaf in India-Türkiye relations, which have been bedeviled by stereotypes and dissonance over the Kashmir issue.

Setting the tone for a new chapter in India-Türkiye ties, India’s Ambassador to Türkiye Muktesh Pardeshi stressed that “there is a strong and mutual desire to take the relationship forward.” “The direction provided by the two leaders (Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Erdogan) will be diligently pursued at the ministerial and official levels,” Mr Pardeshi said at the inaugural session of the conference on February 26, 2025.

“In this context, we are looking forward to the early meeting of Trade Ministers, Foreign Office Consultations led by Deputy Foreign Minister and holding of thematic bilateral dialogues in the fields of counterterrorism, maritime security and cyber diplomacy,” he said.

In a similar vein, Berris Ekinci, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, spoke about the need to actualise huge potential for cooperation in diverse fields. Underling shared goals, aspirations and common global goals, Ms Ekinci called for forging new pathways of collaboration between the two countries.

In the days to come, economic diplomacy will predominate, with both sides setting an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade from $14 billion to $20 billion.   “As two large fast-growing economies and G-20 countries, there is huge potential for expanding trade and investment ties. Türkiye is among the top 20 countries identified by India to promote trade relations,” said Mr Pardeshi. Türkiye has identified India among the top 18 targeted countries to promote trade in its “Distant Country Strategy’ of 2023. The Indian envoy called for Turkish investments and technology, particularly in the field of infrastructure projects.  In this context, a delegation of Invest India is planning road shows in Istanbul and Ankara in near future. India is also encouraging its companies to use Turkey as a hub for third country exports, particularly as a gateway to the EU market.

The conference brought together leading experts, diplomats, thought leaders and policy makers to brainstorm on the future trajectory of India-Türkiye relations. Experts pointed out that both sides should show mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests and concerns and cautioned against making the relationship hostage to differences over the issue of Kashmir.

The international conference titled, “Türkiye-India Relations: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives,” was 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. “Historical baggage is something we need to be aware of and take lessons from, but it shouldn’t limit our potential cooperation,” said Raja Mohan, eminent strategic expert and author, who participated in the conference. “While we discussed the burdens of the past, we are also inspired by the promise of the future. Building a 21st-century relationship requires thinking afresh about how two countries should relate to each other,” said Mr Raja Mohan. Omair Anas, Assistant Professor at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, pointed out that new areas such as cyber security and Artificial Intelligence, in which the two sides need to cooperate more proactively. Looking ahead, both sides need to make a systematic effort to transform mutual perception of each other to actualise the full potential of the partnership, said Mr Manish Chand, CEO & Director, Centre for Global India Insights.  Mr Chand suggested closer collaboration in creative economy and culture industries to broad-base the India-Türkiye relationship. He suggested a host of initiatives to transform the India-Türkiye relationship, including setting up of forums for interactions among media professionals, writers and civil society. “The strengthening of educational, cultural and people to people exchanges will help in creating ‘More of India in Türkiye’ and ‘More of Türkiye in India,’” said Mr Pardeshi.