ISLAMABAD: Former Indian naval commander Sandeep Dhawan has issued a starkwarning that India’s future generations will face severe consequences ifNew Delhi fails to adopt an aggressive posture against Turkey andAzerbaijan. He accused both nations of running prolonged anti-Indiacampaigns without facing adequate repercussions, particularly on theKashmir issue and alleged support to Khalistani extremists. Dhawanemphasized the need for immediate action on a war footing, dismissingnotions of peace and humanity as delusional in this context. His claimshighlight growing concerns over a perceived trilateral axis involving thesecountries and Pakistan that challenges India’s strategic interests.
Dhawan, a retired Commander who served in the Indian Navy from 1988 to 2009as a maritime reconnaissance pilot and flying instructor, has been vocal ongeopolitical matters through platforms like Insightful Geopolitics. Inrecent analyses, he pointed to events such as India’s Operation Sindoor in2025, where Turkey and Azerbaijan displayed provocative behavior byaligning closely with Pakistan. This included public solidarity statementsand alleged military support, which he described as nearing acts of war.Such positions, he argued, demonstrate a pattern of hostility that Indiacan no longer ignore without risking long-term national security.
Turkey has historically supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, oftenraising the issue at international forums like the United Nations GeneralAssembly. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly expressedsolidarity with Pakistan on Kashmir, calling for resolutions that alignwith Islamabad’s narrative of self-determination. This support extends torecognizing Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan in past decades andbacking plebiscite demands under UN auspices. Analysts note that Erdogan’sIslamist-oriented foreign policy has intensified this alignment, usingplatforms to criticize India’s actions in the region post the abrogation ofArticle 370 in 2019.
Azerbaijan has emerged as a newer player in this dynamic, increasinglyaligning with the Pakistan-Turkey axis. Recent developments include hostingan international conference in Baku in January 2026, organized by thegovernment-affiliated Baku Initiative Group. The event focused on allegedracism and violence against Sikhs and other minorities in India, amplifyingnarratives central to the Khalistan movement. Participants includedKhalistani-linked figures from diaspora communities and Pakistaniofficials, framing historical events like Operation Blue Star as catalystsfor separatist demands. This has been viewed as an attempt tointernationalize India’s internal issues and pressure New Delhi globally.
Allegations of support for Khalistani extremists have intensified scrutinyon both Turkey and Azerbaijan. Reports indicate that Azerbaijan has becomea launchpad for anti-India Khalistan narratives, backed by state elementsand coordinated with Pakistan-Turkey efforts. Conferences and mediacampaigns in Baku have promoted grievances, labeling Indian actions assuppression of Sikh political will. Similarly, Turkey has faced accusationsof providing space for radical elements and influencing narratives throughstate media like TRT World, which has covered Kashmir and minority issuesin ways critical of India.
The Pakistan-Turkey nexus remains a cornerstone of this challenge, withdeep military and ideological ties. Turkey has supplied defense equipmentto Pakistan, including drones reportedly used in regional conflicts, andboth nations conduct joint exercises under frameworks like the ThreeBrothers initiative. This cooperation extends to mutual support on Kashmirand other disputes, such as northern Cyprus. India’s responses, includingdiplomatic protests and public boycotts following events like OperationSindoor, reflect growing frustration over unchecked interference.
Dhawan argued that prolonged tolerance of these campaigns allows them togain momentum, potentially emboldening further actions against India’ssovereignty. He called for decisive measures, warning that inaction wouldburden future generations with escalated threats from coordinatedanti-India activities. This perspective aligns with broader Indian concernsover transnational separatist networks operating from diaspora hubs, nowextending to new geopolitical fronts like Azerbaijan.
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India’s official position has consistently rejected external interferencein Kashmir, viewing it as an integral part of the nation. Diplomaticengagements have highlighted misinformation tactics employed byadversaries. Meanwhile, public sentiment in India has led to consumer-ledresponses, including boycott calls against Turkish and Azerbaijani productsand travel, particularly after perceived support during recent tensions.
The evolving trilateral alignment poses strategic implications for regionalstability. As Turkey and Azerbaijan deepen ties with Pakistan, often framedaround shared Muslim-majority interests or historical solidarity, Indiafaces a multifaceted challenge. Dhawan’s call for aggressivecountermeasures underscores a view that diplomatic restraint has limitswhen core national interests are at stake.
Source:https://insightful.co.in/2025/06/08/operation-sindoor-exposed-true-color-of-china-and-turkey
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