In a discreet move, Turkey has imposed a comprehensive ban on the export of weapons and defence-related items to India, one of the world’s largest arms importers. This decision underscored its solidarity with Pakistan, India’s primary rival in South Asia which was reached in a closed-door session of the Turkish Parliament.

According to a clip from the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee on July 10, 2024, Mustafa Murat Şeker, deputy chairman of Turkey's Defence Industry Agency (SSB), inadvertently revealed the government’s secret policy during a discussion. Şeker described the matter as sensitive and confirmed that no military-related items are approved for export to India.

“India, for example, is one of the world’s top five arms importers, a massive market, importing close to $100 billion. However, 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,” Şeker is quoted as saying.

The sale of Turkish defence material, a rapidly expanding sector closely tied to the family of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, requires prior approval from the military, the SSB, and the Foreign Ministry. The minutes indicate that India has been placed on a blacklist of countries to which Turkey cannot sell military and defence items. This decision follows a significant decline in relations between the two countries over the past decade under Erdogan's administration, largely due to Turkey’s unwavering support for Pakistan in its disputes with India.

The rift between these two G20 member countries has widened over the years. Previously, the Nordic Research Monitoring Network (Nordic Monitor) reported Turkey's hidden assistance to Pakistan in various fields, including the establishment of a cyber army aimed at influencing public opinion and attacking the United States and India. The proposal to establish this cyber unit was first discussed during private talks in Islamabad between the then Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and his Pakistani counterpart Shehryar Khan Afridi on December 17, 2018. The plan was approved by then Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting with Soylu on the same day.

Tensions between Ankara and Delhi extend beyond weapons and touch on strategic global trade decisions. There is also a disagreement over a proposal by India, the United States, and the European Union at the G20 summit in New Delhi to create an economic corridor connecting Europe to India via rail and sea routes through the Middle East.

Turkey, excluded from this corridor, has openly opposed the initiative, viewing it as undermining its role as a trade hub while favouring regional competitors like Greece. In response, Turkey supports China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to establish new trade routes. This secret ban on defence exports marks a significant escalation in the geopolitical rivalry between Turkey and India, reflecting broader strategic alignments and regional power dynamics.

Image source: AP News