Türkiye (Turkey) has been recently devasted by massive earthquakes in which thousands of people have lost their lives. India was one of the first few nations to respond early and promptly dispatched multiple rescue teams and various other aids under “Operation Dost”.
Besides saving hundreds of lives and providing timely aid to needy, India’s help also generated immense goodwill as can be witnessed from viral photos like an elderly Turkish lady blessing and kissing an Indian military personal.
In this article, we will critically explore the history of Indo-Turkish relations and examine some of the key moments and events that have shaped this important relationship.
The relationship between India and Turkey has a long and complex history that spans centuries and has seen many ups and downs. From ancient trade links and cultural exchange to political and strategic partnerships, the story of Indo-Turkish relations is one of continuous evolution and adaptation to changing geopolitical realities.
The early roots of Indo-Turkish relations can be traced back to the medieval era, when the Ottoman Empire established trade and diplomatic links with the Mughal Empire in India.
During this time, Turkish merchants, soldiers, and diplomats travelled to India, where they established close ties with the Mughal court and became an important part of the Indian society and culture.
This early period of Indo-Turkish relations was characterized by a high degree of cultural exchange and mutual respect, with Turkish merchants and artisans bringing new ideas and skills to India and Indian merchants and artists travelling to the Ottoman Empire in search of new opportunities.
The modern era of Indo-Turkish relations began in the 19th and 20th centuries, when the Ottoman Empire began to decline and the British Empire established control over India.
During this time, India and Turkey developed new political and strategic partnerships, as both nations sought to assert their independence and sovereignty in the face of foreign domination.
In the aftermath of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, India and Turkey became important actors on the global stage, as they sought to shape the new international order and defend their interests in a rapidly changing world.
Throughout the 20th century, Indo-Turkish relations were shaped by a number of key events and trends, including the rise of nationalism, the growth of economic interdependence, and the impact of regional conflicts and geopolitical struggles.
During this time, India and Turkey maintained close political and economic ties, as they sought to cooperate on regional and global issues and promote peace and stability in the region.
Despite some periods of tension and conflict, such as the Cold War and the Indo-Pakistani conflict, India and Turkey continued to build on their relationship and deepen their cooperation in key areas such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange.
While there have been many positive developments in Indo-Turkish relations, it is also important to critically examine some of the challenges and limitations that have shaped this relationship and consider their impact on the future of this important partnership.
One of the major challenges in Indo-Turkish relations has been the issue of political alignment and strategic interests.
Despite a long history of cultural exchange and economic cooperation, India and Turkey have often found themselves on opposite sides of key geopolitical issues, such as the Cold War, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the war in Iraq.
This has led to periods of tension and conflict in the relationship, as both nations sought to defend their interests and pursue their strategic goals in the region.
Another challenge in Indo-Turkish relations has been the issue of regional stability and security. Despite being major players in the region, India and Turkey have often been at odds over key regional issues, such as the conflict in Kashmir and the war in Syria.
This has led to periods of tension and conflict in the relationship, as both nations sought to defend their interests and protect their national security.
A third challenge in Indo-Turkish relations has been the issue of economic interdependence.
While both India and Turkey have strong economies and growing political influence, they have often struggled to deepen their economic ties and expand their trade and investment links.
This has been due in part to differences in economic systems, policies, and regulations, as well as to the impact of regional conflicts and geopolitical struggles.
Despite these challenges, there have been many positive developments in Indo-Turkish relations over the years, including a long history of cultural exchange and mutual respect, and a growing trend of cooperation on regional and global issues.
Both India and Turkey have made significant efforts to deepen their relationship and promote peace and stability in the region, and there is a growing sense of optimism about the future of this important partnership.
In conclusion, the story of Indo-Turkish relations is a complex and multifaceted one, shaped by both cooperation and conflict over the centuries.
While there have been many positive developments in this relationship, it is also important to critically examine the challenges and limitations that have shaped this relationship over time and consider their impact on the future of this important partnership.
Whether we are looking at the medieval era or the modern era, the story of Indo-Turkish relations is a story of resilience, cooperation, and mutual respect, and one that will continue to shape the future of this important relationship for generations to come.
