India-Turkey relations have plummeted to a historic low, fueled by Turkey’s unwavering support for Pakistan amid escalating India-Pakistan hostilities.

The spark came on April 22, when a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians, prompting India’s “Operation Sindoor” on May 7—a retaliatory strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned India’s actions, aligning firmly with Pakistan and warning of a potential “all-out war,” a stance that has inflamed Indian sentiments.

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Turkey’s role as Pakistan’s second-largest arms supplier has intensified the rift. Between May 8-11, Pakistan deployed 300-400 Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones in attacks on Indian infrastructure, raising alarms about Turkey’s direct involvement.

Suspicions of arms deliveries grew with sightings of a Turkish C-130 Hercules aircraft in Karachi and the TCG Büyükada warship docking there, though Turkey denies these claims. India’s identification of Turkish drones in these attacks has fueled public outrage, with many recalling India’s aid during Turkey’s 2023 earthquake as a stark contrast to this perceived betrayal.

Diplomatically, Turkey’s long-standing support for Pakistan on Kashmir, reiterated by Erdogan in February 2025, clashes with India’s sovereignty claims. India has responded by blocking the X account of Turkish broadcaster TRT World and mulling a ban on Turkish Airlines.

Economically, the Confederation of All India Traders has urged a boycott of Turkish goods, with Indian tourism to Turkey dropping nearly 80% amid canceled bookings. Strategically, India is deepening ties with Turkey’s rivals—Greece, Cyprus, and Armenia—to counter the Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan axis.

While a May 10 ceasefire between India and Pakistan offers temporary relief, the underlying India-Turkey rift persists. Public calls for boycotts and diplomatic retaliation reflect India’s resolve, but unverified claims of Turkish spy satellites or direct drone supplies muddy the narrative.

As India navigates this volatile standoff, the global community urges de-escalation, yet Turkey’s strategic alignment with Pakistan signals a prolonged strain on bilateral ties.

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