Turkish soldiers prepare to load a military cargo plane with Personal Protection Equipment donated by Türkiye to help the U.S. combat the coronavirus, Etimesgut Airport, Ankara, Türkiye, April 28, 2020. (AP Photo)
| Published April 29, 2025
Türkiye Denies Arms Transfer to Pakistan Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, Türkiye has firmly denied allegations of supplying weapons to Pakistan, emphasizing its commitment to regional peace and stability.
Reports surfaced claiming that Türkiye dispatched six aircraft loaded with weapons to Pakistan. However, Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications refuted these claims, clarifying that only a single Turkish transport plane had landed in Pakistan for refueling before continuing on its scheduled route.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the situation, urging both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint. He stated, “We want the escalating tensions between Pakistan and India to be de-escalated as soon as possible, before they evolve into a more serious situation.” Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye does not desire new conflicts in the region or beyond.
Despite the denial of arms transfer, Türkiye and Pakistan have a history of defense cooperation. In February 2025, the two nations signed 24 cooperation agreements across various sectors, including defense, energy, trade, agriculture, and technology. Key defense agreements encompassed protocols on the exchange of military and civilian personnel, air force electronic warfare cooperation, and training in military health.
Additionally, the collaboration between Türkiye and Pakistan has extended to joint defense projects. Under the MILGEM project, Türkiye’s Military Factory and Shipyard Management Inc. (ASFAT) has been involved in constructing warships for the Pakistan Navy, with the fourth warship, PNS Tariq, launched in Karachi in August 2023.
While Türkiye continues to strengthen its strategic partnership with Pakistan through various cooperative endeavors, it maintains a neutral stance regarding the current India-Pakistan tensions, advocating for peaceful resolution and regional stability.
Here’s a pros and cons analysis of Türkiye’s position :
Pros
1. Reinforces Türkiye’s Neutrality and Diplomacy
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By publicly denying arms transfers and calling for de-escalation, Türkiye positions itself as a neutral party focused on regional peace. This strengthens its global image as a responsible diplomatic actor.
2. Avoids Straining Relations with India
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Türkiye’s denial helps prevent worsening ties with India, a major global power and economic player. It preserves opportunities for trade, investment, and diplomatic cooperation with New Delhi.
3. Maintains Defense Ties with Pakistan Without Provocation
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Türkiye continues its defense cooperation with Pakistan (like joint shipbuilding and military training) without escalating the India-Pakistan conflict. This keeps its strategic alliance with Pakistan intact.
4. Shows Commitment to International Law
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By rejecting accusations of illegal arms transfers during tensions, Türkiye reassures the international community that it respects arms control agreements and international norms.
Cons
1. Skepticism Over True Intentions
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Despite the denial, some international observers and Indian media might remain suspicious about Türkiye’s defense activities with Pakistan. This could hurt Türkiye’s credibility among certain countries.
2. Risk of Alienating India
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Even without direct arms transfers, Türkiye’s close defense and strategic relations with Pakistan might still be viewed negatively by India, affecting Türkiye’s economic and diplomatic interests in South Asia.
3. Perceived Hypocrisy
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Türkiye’s emphasis on de-escalation could seem contradictory to critics, given its broader assertive foreign policy in other regions (like the Eastern Mediterranean or the Middle East).
4. Limited Influence on Regional Dynamics
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Despite its calls for peace, Türkiye has limited power to actually influence India or Pakistan’s decisions. Its diplomatic efforts may be seen as symbolic rather than effective.
Conclusion:
Türkiye’s firm denial of sending weapons to Pakistan amid rising India-Pakistan tensions highlights its careful balancing act between maintaining strong defense ties with Pakistan and avoiding direct confrontation with India. By calling for restraint and emphasizing peace, Türkiye projects itself as a responsible international actor committed to regional stability. However, skepticism remains among some observers who question Türkiye’s true intentions, given its deepening military cooperation with Pakistan. In the end, while Türkiye manages to protect its strategic partnerships, its actual influence over de-escalating India-Pakistan tensions remains limited. Moving forward, Ankara will likely continue navigating this delicate diplomatic path to preserve its growing interests across South Asia without becoming entangled in the subcontinent’s volatile conflicts.
SOURCES: DAILY SABAH – Türkiye rejects sending weapons to Pakistan amid India tensions
EURASIAN TIMES – India-Pak War: Turkey Rejects Sending Arms & Ammo To Pakistan; Admits Cargo Aircraft Landed In The Country
XINHUA – Türkiye denies sending weapons to Pakistan as Erdogan urges India-Pakistan restraint
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