Turkey's Strategic Outreach in South Asia: A New Chapter
In a significant diplomatic development this July, Turkey has intensified its defence engagements in South Asia by dispatching senior officials to Pakistan and Bangladesh. These moves underscore Ankara's deepening interest in the region's complex geopolitical and security dynamics, signaling potential shifts in longstanding regional alliances.
High-Level Visits Cementing Defence Ties
On July 9, 2025, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasir Guler arrived in Islamabad for high-profile discussions with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The talks focused on bolstering bilateral relations, with special emphasis on cooperation in defence technology and industrial collaboration. Pakistan’s state media highlighted the visit as a testament to the "brotherly ties rooted in shared history, culture, and trust," reflecting the strategic synergy between the two nations.
This diplomatic momentum follows Turkey’s recent vocal support of Pakistan during heightened military tensions with India in May—a stance that has irked New Delhi but reinforced Ankara's image as a reliable partner to Islamabad. Defence industry collaboration, including joint production ventures and technology sharing, featured prominently on the agenda as Turkey aims to expand its military exports and regional influence.
Parallel Engagement in Bangladesh: Charting New Defence Horizons
Parallel to its outreach in Pakistan, Turkey’s defence industry chief, Haluk Gorgun, conducted strategic meetings in Dhaka with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Army Chief General Waqar-us-Zaman. These talks concentrated on enhancing defence collaboration and technological exchanges, framed within Bangladesh’s ambitious "Forces Goal 2030" plan. The objective is clear: to cultivate self-reliance in defence production and diversify suppliers beyond traditional partners like China.
Bangladesh’s emergence as Turkey’s largest arms importer in 2022 marks a pivotal shift in its defence procurement strategy. Ankara’s specialties in unmanned aerial vehicles, missile technologies, and artillery systems align well with Dhaka’s modernization goals, revealing mutual incentives for deeper partnership.
Regional Implications: A Recalibration of South Asian Security Architecture?
The coordinated Turkish engagement with both Pakistan and Bangladesh is more than diplomatic choreography—it potentially heralds a recalibration in South Asia’s intricate geopolitical balance. Historically dominated by India’s security primacy, the region is witnessing external actors like Turkey injecting new strategic variables. Although Pakistan and Bangladesh do not currently pose direct security threats to New Delhi, Turkey's growing military diplomacy and defence technology transfers may incrementally shift power dynamics and influence contestations in the region.
For policymakers and analysts, Turkey’s dual-track approach raises probing questions:
- Is Ankara positioning itself as a third-party balancer in South Asia, leveraging defence diplomacy to increase its strategic footprint?
- How might expanded Turkey-Pakistan-Bangladesh defence ties affect India’s regional dominance and broader Indo-Pacific strategic calculations?
- Will these partnerships accelerate indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities in South Asia, reshaping long-term defence procurement patterns?
Expert Commentary
Dr. Ayesha Khan, a South Asia security analyst, observes, "Turkey’s stepped-up defence outreach signals its aspiration to be a key external player in South Asia’s security fabric. The technology exchanges and joint production possibilities can bolster military self-sufficiency in Pakistan and Bangladesh, subtly challenging India’s traditional influence." Meanwhile, geopolitical strategist Mark Henderson highlights, "Such moves also reflect Turkey’s broader vision to diversify its diplomatic alliances beyond Europe and the Middle East, tapping into emerging markets and security partnerships in Asia."
Conclusion: Turkey’s South Asian Strategy Is Poised to Grow
Turkey's intensified defence diplomacy with Pakistan and Bangladesh reflects a deliberate shift toward establishing deeper, technologically advanced partnerships in a region pivotal for global security and economic trajectories. As Ankara deepens its involvement, stakeholders across South Asia and beyond must closely monitor how these evolving relations influence regional security dynamics and economic interdependencies.
