Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on May 25, 2025, in a high-profile meeting that comes just weeks after Pakistan’s deadly military confrontation with India along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The talks focused on defense cooperation, regional stability, and growing strategic alignment between Ankara and Islamabad.

“Türkiye stands with Pakistan in defending its sovereignty and national interests,” Erdogan said following the bilateral meeting.

The two leaders emphasized solidarity amid rising tensions in South Asia, pledging to enhance military, economic, and diplomatic coordination in the face of “common threats.”

🛡️ Regional Security and Kashmir

While neither Erdogan nor Sharif mentioned India directly, both made pointed references to “unilateral actions that destabilize peace,” a thinly veiled reference to New Delhi’s recent operations in Kashmir that left dozens dead and heightened fears of broader escalation.

The conflict, which erupted last month, marked the most serious cross-border exchange between India and Pakistan since 2019. Erdogan has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of India’s Kashmir policy, often drawing backlash from New Delhi.

“Our region demands restraint and dialogue, not aggression and silence,” Sharif said, thanking Erdogan for Türkiye’s support.

🤝 Deepening Bilateral Ties

The meeting also served to advance Türkiye-Pakistan defense and trade relations, with both sides reaffirming recent agreements on joint military production, including naval platforms and drone systems.

Trade ministers signed a memorandum to boost bilateral commerce, with an emphasis on energy, agriculture, and technology transfers. Erdogan praised Pakistan as a “strategic brother nation,” highlighting its role in Ankara’s pivot toward Muslim-majority allies amid growing friction with Western powers.

🌍 Broader Geopolitical Context

The Istanbul summit signals Ankara’s expanding role in South Asian and Islamic world diplomacy, as Erdogan seeks to position Türkiye as a bridge between East and West and a leading voice in Muslim affairs. The move may complicate Türkiye’s already tense relations with India and its strategic allies.

Analysts suggest Erdogan’s active alignment with Pakistan may be part of a broader effort to counterbalance India’s growing ties with Israel, the United States, and Greece.

Meanwhile, Sharif’s visit comes as Pakistan seeks stronger alliances amid a fragile domestic economy and regional isolation following the recent conflict.

🕊️ Calls for Multilateral Dialogue

Both leaders reiterated calls for revitalizing the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as a forum to address issues like Kashmir, Palestine, and Islamophobia. Erdogan said Türkiye would support any initiative that fosters “just peace through inclusive dialogue.”

The joint statement concluded with a pledge to work toward a “shared future rooted in sovereignty, justice, and strategic autonomy.”

⏭️ What to Watch

• Possible India-Türkiye diplomatic fallout over Erdogan’s backing of Pakistan
  
• Next steps in Türkiye-Pakistan defense collaboration, especially on drones and naval tech
  
• Pakistan’s push for OIC support on Kashmir at upcoming summits
  
• Broader regional dynamics involving China, Iran, and the Gulf states
  
• Whether this signals a more assertive Türkiye role in South Asian conflicts

As Erdogan and Sharif tighten their diplomatic embrace, the message to the region is clear: Türkiye and Pakistan are aligning more closely than ever — and they are willing to challenge the status quo.

Source; Al Jazeera