Shehbaz Sharif Thanks Erdogan for Backing Pakistan Against India During Kashmir Conflict
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul this weekend, thanking him for Turkey’s “resolute support” during Pakistan’s recent military standoff with India. The meeting, held amid strained Turkey-India relations, focused on defence, trade, and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two nations.
The high-level talks come just weeks after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen. India blamed Pakistan-based terror groups for sheltering the attackers — a claim Pakistan has strongly denied.
Following the attack, India carried out targeted military strikes at nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggering a four-day military conflict that raised alarm globally due to both nations’ nuclear capabilities. A ceasefire was brokered on May 10.
On social media platform X, PM Sharif wrote, “Had the honor of meeting my dear brother President Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff.”
He also stated that the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation, especially in trade, energy, and investment, and reaffirmed their resolve to deepen their “unshakable bonds of brotherhood and cooperation.”
In a statement, Erdogan’s office confirmed the talks focused on strengthening ties in energy, defence, transport, and intelligence sharing. He emphasized the need for both countries to enhance solidarity in education, counter-terrorism, and technological exchange.
“It is in the interest of Turkey and Pakistan to increase cooperation in education, intelligence sharing, and technological support in the fight against terrorism,” Erdogan’s office said.
The meeting was attended by several senior Turkish officials including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defence Minister Yaşar Güler, and Intelligence Chief İbrahim Kalın.
Erdogan echoed Shehbaz’s remarks in a post of his own, stating, “We confirmed and strengthened our will to enhance our deep-rooted historical, human and political relations… The unbreakable ties between our countries have been reinforced further.”
A statement from Turkey’s Directorate of Communications noted that both nations aim to achieve a $5 billion trade volume, expand defence collaboration, and improve infrastructure like the Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad railway line.
India has voiced strong concern over Ankara’s growing support for Islamabad. New Delhi reacted sharply after reports emerged that Turkey-made drones were allegedly used by Pakistan during the recent military operations. Turkey has denied supplying any weapons during the conflict.
Despite mounting criticism from India, Ankara has continued to call for an international probe into the Pahalgam attack, backing Islamabad’s narrative that more investigation is needed into its origins.
