India-Turkey Relations: Milestones in History

While contemporary relations are strained, India and Turkey share a long and complex history. Here are some major and minor milestones:

Early Interactions (Pre-20th Century)

• Trade and Cultural Exchanges (Ancient - 18th Century): The Ottoman Empire and Mughal India maintained indirect contact through trade routes and cultural exchanges. This period saw the influence of Islamic art, architecture, and cuisine traveling between the regions. However, direct political interaction remained limited.

20th Century

• Khilafat Movement (1919-1924): This pan-Islamic movement in British India aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I. Indian Muslims, including Mahatma Gandhi, supported the movement, demonstrating early solidarity but also highlighting religious overtones in the relationship.

• Turkish Independence War (1919-1923): India provided moral and material support to Turkey's struggle for independence under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. This shared experience of anti-colonial struggle laid a foundation for future diplomatic relations.

• Establishment of Diplomatic Relations (1948): India established diplomatic relations with Turkey soon after independence, marking the beginning of a formal relationship.

Post-Independence Era

• Non-Aligned Movement (1950s-1960s): Both countries were prominent members of the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War, sharing common ground on issues like decolonization and international cooperation.

• Cyprus Dispute (1974-present): Turkey's intervention in Cyprus strained relations with India, which traditionally supports Greek Cypriot claims. This remains a point of contention.

• Economic Cooperation (1980s-present): Trade and economic ties grew steadily, with India exporting pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services, while importing machinery and agricultural products from Turkey.

21st Century

• Earthquake Relief Efforts (1999 & 2023): India provided significant humanitarian aid to Turkey during devastating earthquakes, showcasing goodwill and fostering people-to-people connections.

• Growing Tensions over Kashmir (2000s-present): Turkey's increasingly vocal support for Pakistan's stance on Kashmir has become a major irritant in bilateral relations.

• Erdogan's Visit to India (2017): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit aimed to boost economic ties. However, his remarks on Kashmir overshadowed the visit and exposed the growing differences.

• Downgrading of Diplomatic Relations (2019): Following India's revocation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, Turkey downgraded diplomatic ties and criticized the move, marking a low point in recent relations.

Present and Future

Despite shared historical connections and economic potential, India-Turkey relations remain strained due to geopolitical disagreements, particularly over Kashmir. Navigating these challenges while exploring areas of cooperation will be crucial for the future of the relationship.

Importance of Understanding the Milestones

These milestones reveal a complex relationship shaped by both shared history and contemporary geopolitical realities. Understanding these events is crucial for analyzing the current state of affairs and predicting the future trajectory of India-Turkey relations.