Erdogan's neo-imperial ambitions and a case for Turkey boycott

Turkey's complicity in global terror networks does not begin or end with Pakistan. It was in full display in the recent regional crises.

- SANTISHREE DHULIPUDI PANDIT

In retaliation against cross-border terror originating from Pakistan, India's Operation Sindoor did a lot more than just take out hideouts of terrorists—it exposed a web of technical, ideological, diplomatic, and disturbingly, transnational collaborations. One of the central collaborators emerging from this exposure is Turkey under President Erdogan's ambitions of becoming a neo-imperial and neo-Ottoman sultan in the 21st century. The Turkish role in revamping Pakistan's drone capabilities, particularly the induction of Bayraktar drones, was critical for Pakistan. More than just surveillance drones, Bayraktar, in the hands of Pakistan's military-jihadi complex, have turned into tools of asymmetric warfare by facilitating infiltration and pushing the boundaries of the existing proxy war between India and its neighbour.

As the facts and allegations of Turkish involvement have emerged in recent days, followed by Turkey's unyielding diplomatic and political support to Pakistan, Indian firms, companies, trade unions, academic institutions and private players have chosen to boycott Turkey and its products and services. For woke liberals, such moves are nothing but fearmongering, but to those seeking dignity and accountability after the horrendous Pahalgam terrorist attack, this is a reflection of our choices and actions that may be playing out in the hands of questionable regimes like Erdogan's Turkey. Therefore, one needs to look into and explore further the Turkish-Pakistan alliance while juxtaposing it against the interests of India and Indians.