Turkey Deepens Strategic Footprint in South Asia High-Level Visits to Pakistan and Bangladesh Signal Military Realignment Turkey has intensified its diplomatic and defence outreach in South Asia with simultaneous high-level engagements in Pakistan and Bangladesh, sparking renewed interest in Ankara’s growing geopolitical ambitions in the region.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler arrived in Islamabad for a joint diplomatic and military visit aimed at fortifying ties with Pakistan. In a parallel move, Turkey’s top defence industry leader Haluk Görgün visited Dhaka to enhance bilateral defence cooperation with Bangladesh. The timing and scope of both visits point to a coordinated regional strategy.
In Pakistan, Fidan and Güler met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and Army Chief General Asim Munir. Their discussions covered a range of issues including advanced defence production, military training exchanges, counterterrorism collaboration, and plans to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion. Turkey reaffirmed its support for Pakistan on regional security matters, and both nations discussed expanding joint ventures involving Turkish drones, naval systems, and combat technology.
Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, Haluk Görgün’s engagements with military and political leaders focused on deepening cooperation in defence manufacturing and technology transfer. The two nations are reportedly in talks to establish Turkish-backed defence industrial parks in Chittagong and Narayanganj, which will manufacture artillery, armored vehicles, and unmanned aerial systems. Turkish drone technologies, including the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı platforms, are expected to feature prominently in future collaborations.
Turkey’s growing presence in South Asia appears to challenge traditional power dynamics in the region. By aligning closely with both Pakistan and Bangladesh—two key neighbors of India—Ankara is positioning itself as a pivotal defence and strategic partner. This has raised concerns in New Delhi, especially in light of ongoing regional disputes and recent diplomatic strains between Turkey and India.
The developments also signal Ankara’s broader ambitions to project influence beyond its immediate periphery. By embedding military-industrial cooperation in its foreign policy, Turkey is recalibrating its role in Asia, leveraging its advanced defence capabilities to build long-term alliances.
These engagements, seen as more than just routine diplomatic visits, mark a significant shift in South Asia’s strategic landscape—one that could redefine regional security alignments in the years to come.
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