India Rules Out Near-Term Normalisation with Turkey
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has made it clear that New Delhi does not foresee any normalisation of diplomatic ties with Turkey in the near future. Speaking to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Misri pointed to Turkey’s continued alignment with Pakistan as a key obstacle to restoring bilateral engagement.
India-Turkey Relations Remain Strained
Misri reportedly told the panel that Turkey’s stance during recent tensions between India and Pakistan was “not surprising.” He said, “Turkey made its stand very clear in its support to Pakistan, and historically, we are not really surprised by what Turkey did. We do not see the relations between India and Turkey becoming normalised in the near future.”
The deterioration in ties comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes followed the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian nationals. In the wake of these events, Turkey openly voiced support for Pakistan, further straining its already delicate relationship with India.
Backlash in India Over Turkey’s Stance
India has responded strongly to Turkey’s position. Several Indian academic institutions have suspended their collaborations with Turkish counterparts. Meanwhile, the tourism sector has also been affected, with a noticeable shift in sentiment among Indian travellers.
As per data shared by MakeMyTrip, flight bookings to Turkey and Azerbaijan fell by 60% over the past week, while cancellations shot up by 250%. A spokesperson from the company stated that “Indian travellers have expressed strong sentiments over the past one week,” indicating a widespread reaction to Turkey’s geopolitical posture.
No Diplomatic Thaw in Sight
Foreign Secretary Misri’s remarks to Parliament reflect a calculated and strategic posture by India. The government appears in no rush to re-engage with Ankara unless significant shifts occur in Turkey’s foreign policy, particularly its support for Pakistan.
India’s stance reflects a broader emphasis on sovereignty, national security, and strategic consistency. While diplomatic doors are not permanently shut, the message from New Delhi is unambiguous: relations with Turkey will remain cold unless Ankara reconsiders its approach towards issues critical to India’s core interests.
