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Friendship with Pakistan Shouldn't Be India's Problem, Says Turkish FM Hakan Fidan
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has defended Ankara's "brotherly ties" with Pakistan during a security lecture in Singapore, stating they should not be seen as a problem for India. Critiquing New Delhi's foreign policy approach, Fidan questioned why India views external friendships with Islamabad as an act of opposition, stressing that Turkey's partnerships are never directed against third countries.
ND
by News Desk
2026-06-04
Friendship with Pakistan Shouldn't Be India's Problem, Says Turkish FM Hakan Fidan

Detailed Report

  • The Ankara-Islamabad Axis Defended: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has categorically stated that the deep-rooted, strategic partnership between Ankara and Islamabad should not be viewed through a lens of hostility by New Delhi. Addressing ongoing regional sensitivities, Fidan emphasized that Turkey’s "close and brotherly relations" with Pakistan are entirely bilateral and are not directed against any third country, including India.

  • Critique of India's Foreign Policy: According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Fidan made these remarks during a high-profile lecture at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore. Speaking to an international audience of diplomats and defense experts, the Turkish foreign minister pointed out what he characterized as fundamental shortcomings in India’s current foreign policy approach. He questioned why New Delhi routinely interprets friendly diplomatic ties between Pakistan and external sovereign nations as a direct act of opposition or geopolitical concern.

The Multilateral Reality: Defending Turkey's diplomatic alignment, Fidan noted that Ankara is far from isolated in its approach to South Asian diplomacy. He highlighted that several other global powers maintain highly positive, robust economic and strategic ties with Islamabad, suggesting that India’s apprehensions are misaligned with standard international relations.

  • The South Asian Geopolitical Context: The timing of Fidan's remarks coincides with a period of heightened scrutiny over defense and political collaborations between Pakistan and Turkey. The bilateral relationship, which frequently includes high-level reviews of regional security, maritime cooperation, and counter-terrorism frameworks, is a frequent point of contention in New Delhi’s broader strategic calculations regarding its western border.

Diplomatic Position Summary: IISS Singapore Lecture

Key Diplomatic Parameters Turkish Foreign Policy Position (FM Hakan Fidan)
Core Statement Turkey-Pakistan ties do not equal hostility toward India.
Venue of Address International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Singapore.
Strategic Critique India's foreign policy incorrectly views external partnerships with Pakistan as zero-sum.
Multilateral Context Turkey is one of multiple global nations maintaining positive ties with Islamabad.
Bilateral Nature Alignments are constructive for regional stability, not structured against third parties.

Tagged:

#TurkeyPakistanFriendship #HakanFidan #IndiaTurkeyDiplomacy #SouthAsiaGeopolitics #Ankara #Islamabad #NewDelhi #BreakingNewsInternational
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