New Delhi: Türkiye has announced its intention to institutionalise the trilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan and Pakistan, while Baku is “ready to invest” $2 billion into Islamabad’s economy, following a meeting at Lachin.
The three countries have also pushed for closer cooperation in defence.
“We are experiencing many challenges concurrently in our region and beyond, from security threats to economic downturns to energy and food crises. We believe that in the face of these challenges, it is a necessity, not a choice, to develop our solidarity as well as our capacity for joint action,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday during a meeting with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Erdogan added: “In the coming period, our foreign ministers will carry out the required work to institutionalize our trilateral cooperation, and they will prepare a strong framework that reflects the common vision of our countries, particularly in the fields that shape our common agenda, such as trade, investments, transportation, energy, defense industry, and the fight against terrorism.”
The comments come after the escalation between India and Pakistan earlier this month. India had launched Operation Sindoor at nine terrorist complexes in Pakistan, including Bahawalpur and Muridke. The operation was carried out following a terrorist attack in which 26 people were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Pakistan’s escalation led to heavy exchanges, which were halted following a bilateral understanding reached between the two militaries on 10 May. Turkish loitering munitions and drones were used heavily by the Pakistani military which has led to a backlash in India.
Turkish companies including Celebi, which managed the ground operations at Indian airports, have since lost their clearance, while Indian universities have suspended cooperation with Turkish universities citing national security concerns.
Islamabad has received consistent support from both Ankara and Baku. Azerbaijan has called for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terrorist attack by a neutral body, mirroring Islamabad’s stance.
“My dear brothers, in more recent times, this historical relationship has been further strengthened as we have stood by each other, whether it be on Karabakh, Kashmir or northern Turkish Cyprus. Our strength lies in our solidarity and our mutual respect,” Aliyev said Wednesday during his address to the trilateral meeting.
The Azerbaijan President added: “Azerbaijan has invested more than $20 billion in the Turkish economy and is ready to invest an initial $2 billion in Pakistan’s economy. Work is currently underway on specific investment projects.”
Pakistan raises J&K, IWT during meet
Sharif, who has been on a diplomatic push in recent weeks, especially with Ankara and Baku, raised the issues surrounding Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), while blaming India for attacking Islamabad for “no rhyme or reason.”
“But I have said in all humility that we want peace in the region. Yesterday we wanted peace, today we want peace and tomorrow we want peace. And that requires talks on the table on issues, which need urgent attention and amicable resolution. That is the issue of Kashmir according to the resolutions of the United Nations and Security Council and as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir,” Sharif said.
India has made it clear that any discussions will solely be surrounding the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, maintaining that talks cannot occur as long as Islamabad continues its support for cross-border terrorism.
New Delhi in one of its first diplomatic actions against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, was to hold the IWT “in abeyance.” India has made it clear that “water and blood” cannot “flow together.”
“Unfortunately, my very dear brothers, India tried to weaponize the Indus Waters Treaty, which is a lifeline for the people of Pakistan, 240 million people for their agriculture use, their own use for drinking purposes and many other purposes. I think this is most unfortunate that India tried to threaten to stop our flow of water to Pakistan,” said the Pakistan PM on the IWT.
Sharif added that Pakistan is the “biggest victim of terrorism around the globe” and is willing to discuss this issue with India, while wanting to open talks around the resumption of trade.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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