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The joint exercise, named ‘Ataturk XI-2021’, is aimed at focussing on counter-terrorist operations but this signals an emergent strategic alliance between these two countries, with implications for South Asia including Kashmir, according to highly placed sources who did not wish to be quoted.
The growing Pak-Turkey alliance is also reflected in the diplomatic arena with Turkey backing Pakistan’s narrative in Kashmir in return for Islamabad’s support against Greece and Cyprus. Pakistan, upset with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, has moved closer to Turkey to gain support on Kashmir and procure arms. Turkey is yet again expected to come to the rescue of Pakistan at the FATF meet next week.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in February 2020 that the Kashmir issue was as important to Turkey as it is to Pakistan. Recalling the events of the Turkish War of Independence, Erdogan said, “And now, we feel the same about Kashmir today. It was Canakkale yesterday and Kashmir today; there is no difference between the two”.
Turkey raised the issue of Kashmir at the UN General Assembly in September 2019. Experts claim that Turkey desires to replace Saudi Arabia as the leader in the Organisation of Islamic Conference.
“Pakistan has taken a definitive turn towards Turkey after Saudi Arabia decided to adopt a more pragmatic approach and build its strategic and economic ties with India,” one of the above mentioned sources explained. “UAE too has expanded its partnership with India across sectors. Turkey on its part wants to place itself as a leader of Islamic world and its role in recent Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has buoyed PM Imran Khan and all powerful army to take ties with Ankara to the next level.”
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