India Strikes Back at Turkey: From Kashmir to the Mediterranean
- Manoj Ambat
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
When Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly raised the Kashmir issue at global platforms such as the United Nations General Assembly, he crossed what India considers its most sacred red line. For decades, New Delhi has maintained a steady foreign policy doctrine: Kashmir is a sovereign internal matter, and no foreign interference will be tolerated.
But Ankara went further—aligning with Pakistan, lobbying at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and deepening defense cooperation with Islamabad. For India, this was more than rhetoric; it was a direct challenge.
In response, New Delhi has quietly but effectively begun to hit back, exploiting Turkey’s fault lines in the Caucasus, Eastern Mediterranean, and West Asia. The latest naval standoff between Indian and Turkish warships highlights how far this geopolitical rivalry has escalated.
Turkey’s Shift Against India
India and Turkey have not traditionally been adversaries. Their ties were cordial, even distant, with limited trade and diplomatic engagement. But under Erdogan’s Neo-Ottoman vision, Turkey has sought to expand its influence across the Muslim world.
At the UN, Erdogan raised Kashmir multiple times, echoing Pakistan’s narrative.
Within the OIC, Turkey pushed for anti-India resolutions.
Turkey’s defense ties with Pakistan expanded—supplying drones, warship technology, and upgrades for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.
For New Delhi, this was unacceptable. While China’s Kashmir interventions were expected, Turkey’s involvement was seen as opportunistic interference. It placed Ankara directly on the opposite side of India’s national interest.
Why Kashmir is India’s Red Line
Kashmir is not just another foreign policy issue for India—it is an existential one. Every Indian government, regardless of political alignment, has maintained zero tolerance for internationalization of the Kashmir dispute.
For Erdogan, Kashmir became a rallying point to position Turkey as a global leader of the Muslim world. But in doing so, he miscalculated. Unlike Arab powers who often balance ties, Ankara openly sided with Pakistan. In India’s view, Turkey became a partisan actor undermining its sovereignty.
That decision set in motion India’s retaliation.
India’s Retaliation Strategy
Rather than engage in loud diplomacy, India opted for strategic counterpressure, targeting Turkey’s weak points across multiple regions.
1. Armenia – The Caucasus Front
Turkey’s strongest ally, Azerbaijan, has long been in conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.In 2022, India signed a significant defense deal with Armenia, supplying Pinaka rocket systems, anti-tank weapons, and radar systems.
This was more than a commercial transaction. It signaled to Ankara that India could hurt its strategic interests in the Caucasus by empowering Armenia.
2. Greece & Cyprus – Naval Rivalry in the Aegean
Turkey’s decades-long conflict with Greece and Cyprus centers on maritime boundaries and Cyprus’ division.
India has moved closer to Athens, conducting naval drills and high-level defense discussions. Cyprus, too, has backed India on Kashmir. In return, India has quietly supported Cypriot positions in international forums.
By strengthening ties with Greece and Cyprus, India inserted itself into one of Turkey’s most volatile disputes.
3. Aligning with France, UAE, and Israel
Turkey’s aggressive policies have angered several powers:
France over Eastern Mediterranean exploration and Libya.
UAE over competing Islamic leadership claims.
Israel over Erdogan’s sharp criticism of its policies.
India enjoys strong relations with all three. By expanding defense cooperation with Paris, Abu Dhabi, and Tel Aviv, New Delhi multiplies Turkey’s strategic headaches.
The Naval Standoff
The rivalry reached a symbolic high point when Indian and Turkish naval vessels engaged in a tense standoff in the Mediterranean.
While not a clash, the encounter demonstrated India’s willingness to project naval power far beyond the Indian Ocean. It was a subtle but sharp reminder to Ankara: if you enter India’s internal space diplomatically, India can step into your maritime backyard strategically.
This incident underscores a new phase: India is no longer just defending itself—it is signaling its capability to retaliate on the global stage.
Wider Geopolitical Context
Turkey’s ambitions stem from Erdogan’s Neo-Ottomanism: a vision of projecting influence from North Africa to the Caucasus, from the Eastern Mediterranean to South Asia.
But ambition breeds resistance.
In the Caucasus, Armenia is backed by India.
In the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece, Cyprus, and France are aligning more closely with India.
In the Middle East, UAE and Israel share India’s discomfort with Ankara.
This creates a counterweight network, where India indirectly restrains Turkey without needing to confront it head-on.
The Road Ahead: Three Possible Futures
Diplomatic Hostilities DeepenErdogan will continue raising Kashmir. India will continue arming Armenia, backing Greece, and tightening alliances.
Naval Encounters MultiplyAs India builds a true blue-water navy, its Mediterranean presence could increase, leading to more standoffs.
Bloc Politics EmergeA Turkey–Pakistan–possibly China grouping could face an India–Greece–France–Israel–UAE alignment. This rivalry may expand across defense, diplomacy, and naval competition.
Conclusion
When Turkey decided to internationalize Kashmir, it underestimated India’s response. By striking Ankara’s fault lines—from the Caucasus to the Aegean—India has sent a clear message: interference will not go unanswered.
The naval standoff between Indian and Turkish ships was not just an isolated event—it was a symbol of India’s growing reach. Turkey now faces a reality where its regional ambitions are being checked by a rising Indian power willing to project influence far beyond its immediate neighborhood.
In the evolving world order, India and Turkey may not yet be open enemies, but they are no longer neutral players. A new rivalry has begun, and its consequences will shape both South Asia and the Mediterranean in the years to come.
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