Pakistan Attacked India with 400 Turkish Drones Over Four Days—But India Once Came to Turkey’s Aid
In February 2023, when a catastrophic earthquake devastated Turkey, India responded with empathy and urgency. Launching Operation Dost, New Delhi dispatched over 250 personnel, high-tech rescue equipment, and tons of relief material. It was a gesture of deep humanitarian solidarity and friendship—widely praised and seen as a reaffirmation of India's goodwill on the global stage.
Fast forward to 2025, and that goodwill appears to have been reciprocated with hostility. In a shocking development, Pakistan launched over 400 Turkish-made drones into Indian territory over a span of four days, raising alarm over Ankara’s growing alignment with Islamabad—and raising uncomfortable questions about whether Indian exports may have indirectly fueled Turkey's drone production capabilities.
From Strategic Partner to Silent Adversary: The Changing Turkey-India Equation
The use of Turkish drones in Pakistan’s cross-border offensive has triggered a diplomatic chill between New Delhi and Ankara. Turkey, which once welcomed Indian investments in its defence sector, now stands accused of bolstering Pakistan's military strategy against India.
The timing is critical. Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Turkey, far from condemning the terror strike, took a surprisingly one-sided stance—denouncing India’s military retaliation as provocative and supporting Pakistan’s call for an international investigation.
This shift reflects a broader realignment of Turkish foreign policy, with Ankara increasingly embracing Pakistan as a strategic partner. Since early 2024, Turkey has reportedly imposed a blanket ban on defence-related exports to India, a stark departure from the bilateral optimism that followed India's 2021 investment in Turkish drone manufacturer Zyrone Dynamics. At the time, the deal—worth $1 million for a 30% stake—was hailed as a sign of India’s growing footprint in defence tech and a bridge for deeper economic ties.
The Hidden Irony: Are Indian Exports Powering Turkish Drones?
What makes the situation more complicated is that India remains a key exporter of components essential to drone manufacturing—many of which go to Turkey. Engineering goods have been a cornerstone of India-Turkey trade, especially in the post-pandemic period.
Among India’s top exports to Turkey:
- Aluminium and aluminium products – used in drone airframes and fuselage sections
- Auto components and engine parts – adaptable for UAV propulsion systems
- Telecom instruments and electrical machinery – vital for avionics, communications, and sensor modules
- Aircraft parts – including sub-assemblies and control surfaces
- Audit and Restrict Sensitive Exports: India must review its export basket to Turkey, especially in sectors contributing to dual-use technologies. A targeted export control regime—similar to those used by the EU and the U.S.—could curb the inadvertent supply of drone-capable components.
- Engage in Diplomatic Dialogue: Before severing ties, New Delhi should initiate a high-level diplomatic dialogue with Ankara, seeking clarification on Turkey’s stance and pushing for neutral engagement in South Asian affairs.
- Build New Alliances: India could deepen its defence and economic cooperation with countries like Greece, Armenia, and Cyprus—nations that have historically viewed Turkish military expansionism with concern.
- Revise FDI Policies in Defence Sector: Going forward, India may need to institute reciprocal defence FDI policies—ensuring that investments in foreign military technology are tied to bilateral security guarantees.
