The Indian ambassador to Turkey Sanjay Panda called for “course correction”in bilateral relations for “larger goals” of the two G20-member countries.
Addressing a virtual meetup hosted by Cemal Demir, who leads theIstanbul-based think-tank South Asia Strategic Research Center (GASAM), onWednesday, the Indian envoy said any bilateral relationship has to be “seenin its totality.”
“The perception [about India-Turkey relations] is shaped by a falsenarrative… you cannot have that narrative blocking this relationship,” hesaid, alleging: “Turkish media has also fallen victim to this falsenarrative.”
Referring to his recent meeting with Turkish parliament speaker MustafaSentop, Panda said: “We cannot be on the same page on every issue but thatdoesn’t mean we cannot move forward.”
The envoy said Indian investors are waiting to “come and invest in Turkey,”given the “right environment.”
Praising a Turkish company for constructing a tunnel in India’s state ofHimachal Pradesh, the envoy described it as “a remarkable job that makes usproud.”
Without naming anyone, Panda said: “Two countries of the stature of Indiaand Turkey, somehow, have missed the larger picture, [and are] caught incertain issues, not looking at this bilateral relation as standalonerelation, which should stand on its own merit.”
“We are missing the track… sky is the limit… what we have attained is justtip of the iceberg,” the Indian envoy said, referring to over $8 billionannual bilateral trade. “Turkey and India have a deep historical,civilizational and cultural connect.”
He said India has always considered Turkey a friendly nation with which itshares the attributes of democracy, secularism and rule of law. “MustafaKemal Ataturk’s name and his legacy hold a particular appeal for everyIndian,” he said.
Turkey’s geopolitical importance
The Indian envoy said New Delhi “recognizes the strategic significance ofTurkey.”
“Located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, it is geopolitically animportant player in a volatile region, and economically, as a hub for thirdcountry exports, particularly as a stepping stone into the EU market,” hesaid.
He said the two sides have to “optimize this potential for multifacetedcooperation across a wide spectrum, ranging from trade and investment todefense and high technology.”
Referring to bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, Pandamaintained: “There is convergence of views on global issues, and havegenerally supported each other on issues of mutual interest.”
“Turkey joining an Indian initiative, the Coalition for Disaster ResilientInfrastructure, last week exemplifies our collaboration for a commoncause,” he added.
On the challenges against multilateralism, Panda called for cooperationbetween Turkey and India for “bringing about necessary reforms at the UN,especially the Security Council, to make them relevant to contemporaryrealities.”
‘Victims of terrorism’
Read Top Stories
The Indian envoy said the two countries are “victims of terrorism,including cross-border terrorism.”
Urging non-interference in the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indian envoysaid: “India-Turkey relations have been hostage to some misconception abouthistory based on a wrong narrative crafted and propagated by vestedinterests. Such narrative also included giving color of religion to amatter, namely Jammu and Kashmir which is wholly internal to India.”
“That should be respected,” he insisted.
“How can one gloss over the armed aggression against Jammu and Kashmir in1947 which is the root cause of the problem,” he claimed, alleging:“Continued cross-border terrorist activities cost the lives of over 42,000innocent Kashmiris.”
Panda said: “No stones are left unturned to reinforce this false narrativethrough diverse means, such as raising the matter at every conceivablemultilateral forum, dragging the subject to seminars and conferencesirrespective of the subject under discussion, instigating public,organizing public demonstrations even in third countries causing law andorder problems, and even by the sponsorship of terrorism.”
‘Way forward and course correction’
“Ties can certainly be put back on track – if not overnight,incrementally,” the Indian envoy said. “India is ready to work towards thisend. However, such progress can be achieved only on purely independentbilateral considerations not influenced by either country’s relationshipwith any third country.”
He said: “any interference [in internal affairs] is totally unwelcomed.”
The ambassador argued that Turkey and India need to achieve “mutualunderstanding of political-security issues, especially sensitivity onissues of core concern to either side [which] lies at the root of thedevelopment of relations.”
“Once we have the right political environment, we could make the most ofthe post-COVID-19 pandemic opportunities by reimagining and reconfiguringour partnership,” he said.
“Let us recognize this big picture in our bilateral ties and embark on anurgent course correction. It is only then India and Turkey can realizetheir full potential as natural partners in the 21st century.”
GASAM head Demir, for his part, said if relations between Ankara and NewDelhi can be developed in the framework of national and internationalinterests it will be profitable for both.
He underlined that an independent policy within the framework of democraticrule of law is needed to strengthen the current bilateral relations.
Source:link
